The Chicago Latino Film Festival began its 42nd edition on April 15, offering a 12-day program with more than 80 feature and short films at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema in Lincoln Park.
The festival highlights Latin American cinema and aims to bring diverse stories to local audiences. Organizers say this year’s lineup includes works from over 20 Latin American countries, as well as several by local filmmakers.
The event opened with “It Would Be Night in Caracas (Aún es de Noche en Caracas),” directed by Mariana Rondón and Marité Ugás. Mateo Mulcahy, the festival’s executive director, said, “We’re kind of in a strange moment in time and space. The Latino community, in particular in Chicago, has been under a lot of stress.” Mulcahy added that the opening film “has a political narrative that speaks to the times … so it was kind of an easy choice for us.” Sandra Bernal, programming manager for the festival, said: “It’s an important movie for all, not just the Venezuelan people, just to understand what is happening in Venezuela. It goes into the political situation but also shows the human situation behind all those political decisions. And that’s something that we as Latinos and as non-Latinos should be aware of.”
Filmmakers Rondón and Ugás are also presenting “Zafari,” a dystopian dramedy set amid shortages where social classes clash over resources. The closing night will feature “The Dog, My Father and Us (Nosotros, mi papá y el perro),” an Ecuadorian film about family relationships.
This year’s program features notable selections such as “I Am Frankelda (Soy Frankelda),” Mexico’s first fully stop-motion feature; “Eva,” a drama from Honduras about grief and identity; four locally made short films; as well as free matinees for school children and discounted tickets for students and seniors.
Mulcahy said: “Film is such an important medium. It gives you so much insight into the different cultures that make up Latin America… I think it is critical that we continue to do our work as a film festival and as a Latino arts presenter.” Bernal described the event as one of Chicago’s cultural highlights: “We know that there are plenty of Latino film festivals in the country but this festival hasn’t stopped for 42 consecutive years… This is just an invitation to get together, to get closer to stories that you might not find anywhere else.”
Organized by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago—the longest continuously running Latino film fest nationally—the event expects around 30,000 attendees this year.
