Spanish Film Club

Spanish Film Club is back at the University of Maryland with five new titles from Dominican Republic, Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador and Spain.

Spanish Film Club (SFC), an initiative by PRAGDA, offers grants twice a year to help high schools and universities bring the very best in contemporary Spanish and Latin American cinema to campuses with the aim of introducing students to the language and cultures of these territories. The fifth edition of Spanish Film Club at Maryland Univeristy will be held on October 13 - November 10 with films every Tuesday at 7:15 pm.

339 Amín Abel Hasbún. Memory of a Crime

• On Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 7:15 pm.
• Original title: 39 Amín Abel Hasbún. Memoria de un crimen.
• Directed by Etzel Báez, Dominican Republic, 2014, 97 minutes.
• Film presentation by Dr. Eyda Merediz, SPAP.

Based on a real story, 339 Amín Abel Hasbún. Memory of a Crime is an intriguing account of the murder of Amín Abel Hasbún, a brilliant student leader in the Dominican Republic accused of kidnapping U.S. Embassy official J. Crowley. With a plot that involved the CIA and the Dominican Republic Police Force, the film deconstructs the events that took place the morning of September 24, 1970, when Amín, his wife, and 2-year-old son received the fatal visit of the police and country’s District Attorney.

Paradise

• On Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 7:15 pm.
• Original title: Paraíso.
• Directed by Mariana Chenillo, Mexico, 2013, 105 minutes.
• Film presentation by Dr. Ryan Long, SPAP.

Childhood sweethearts Carmen and Alfredo move from their life of quiet bliss in Satélite, a sleepy suburb outside of Mexico City to the bustling metropolis when Alfredo is offered a promotion. It’s a rude awakening for Carmen, who until now has not really worried about the fact that she and Alfredo are both overweight. Paradise touches upon issues of body image, self-confidence and happiness with candor and humor. The film is executive-produced by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal.

Eternal Amazon

• On Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 7:15 pm.
• Original title: Amazônia eterna.
• Directed by Belisario Franca, Brazil, 2013 Brazil, 88 minutes.
• Film presentation by Dr. Regina Igel, SPAP.

The Amazon is a vast laboratory for sustainable experiments that are unveiling new relationships among human beings, corporations, and this natural heritage that is crucial for life on the planet. With astonishing cinematography, soundtrack, and testimonies from expert economists and Amazonians, Eternal Amazon presents a critical analysis of how the world’s largest tropical rainforest is understood and utilized. The film asks whether it is possible for humans to make sustainable use of the rainforest.

The Crow’s Nest

• On Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 7:15 pm.
• Original title: Malacrianza.
• Directed by Arturo Menéndez, El Salvador, 2014, 70 min.
• Film presentation by Dr. Ana Patricia Rodríguez, SPAP.

The first fiction film from El Salvador to be produced since 1969, The Crow’s Nest follows Don Cleo, a humble piñata salesman. After receiving an extortion letter, he has 72 hours to gather $500 before he is killed. With a magnificent use of deadpan humor and charm, The Crow’s Nest depicts a unique and realistic vision of El Salvador, where evangelical churches, reverence for the concept of the American Dream, the local struggling economy, and violence are everyday experiences for its most vulnerable population.

Asier and I

• On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 7:15 pm.
• Original title: Asier ETA biok.
• Directed by Amaia Merino, Aitor Merino, Spain, 2013, 93 minutes.
• Film presentation by Dr. Juan Uriagereka, Department of Linguistics, and José M. Naharro, SPAP.

Asier and I tells the story of the friendship between Aitor and Asier Aranguren from their time growing up together in the conflict-affected and politicized eighties of Pamplona to their reunion after going their separate ways. After Asier’s involvement in the terrorist group ETA and his time spent in a French Prison, Aitor made this film to understand his friend’s reasons. Beyond the story of Asier, Aitor, and the Basque conflict, the film raises universal questions about ideology and political extremism.

Opening night on October 13th at 7:15 pm. Opening ceremony of the festival with Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz, Director SLLC; Dr. Eyda Merediz, Head SPAP; and Dr. José M. Naharro, Festival Coordinator SPAP. A reception will follow.