Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Vistas Film Festival highlights Latino culture

By Marisa Treviño of Latina Lista

A common pregunta Latina Lista~Dallas always hears is how do we (Latinos), who are so caught up with our busy lives, maintain la cultura?

Bueno, here's a simple answer: Support Latino arts.

This week, there's no easier way to do that than to attend the 9th Annual Vistas Film Festival.

In case you don't know, it's Dallas' own international film festival that focuses on films by and about Latinos, but as their web site explains, "…the reality is that Latinos as a culture are incredibly diverse – a fact exemplified in the nature of the films presented and the relative countries of origin."

Tomorrow night is the opening night of the festival at the Mockingbird location of the Angelika Theatre where the film El Benny will be screened. The film is about Benny Moré, the father of mambo.

What follows for the rest of the festival is worth buying one of the many passes festival organizers are offering to the public.

The five-day festival features a lineup of some very thought-provoking films like Hijos de la Guerra, a documentary from El Salvador about the MS-13 gang, better known as the notorious Mara Salvatrucha, AZULOSCUROCASINEGRO (DARK BLUE ALMOST BLACK), a film from Spain that explores relationships, and Inside the Circle that has received notable attention from film critics because of how it highlights the street art of break dancing.

Along with the screening of over 30 films, festival organizers are also offering filmmaker workshops with guest filmmakers, coffee with the filmmakers, nightly receptions/after-parties and even a break dance exhibition.

Since mañana is the opening night, in true Hollywood style the festival organizers have planned a party that rivals anything we read about the after-Emmy parties this past weekend.

In addition to watching the screening of El Benny, those lucky enough to buy one of the limited tickets to the evening will be able to eat, drink, and salsa to their heart’s content at The Empire Room.

But the really good part is that only the night's attendees are eligible for a drawing for an American Airlines round trip ticket to anywhere in Central or South America where the airline flies.

At any rate, there's no easier way to stay connected to la cultura than going to the movies!

9th Annual Vistas Film Festival: Sept. 19-23

Location: Angelika Film Center – Dallas’ Mockingbird location

Time: Check Festival Schedule

Pegasus News content partner: Latina Lista. You can find the main site for Latina Lista, which includes national news and views, podcasts, the store and more here.

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