Javier Gutierrez from Marshland

CCEMiami invites you to the panel discussion Cinema and the transition to democracy with Javier Gutierrez, actor from Marshland (La isla mínima).

The movies, and the arts in general, can play a role in reflecting social change, in provoking political debate and in looking back at history with a critical eye. In Spain, the Franco dictatorship and the Civil War, as well as its aftermath, have been an enduring subject of the national cinema. The transition to democracy and the remnants of the old regime form the seething backdrop to the critical and box office success, the thriller La isla mínima (Marshland), opening this week at movie theaters across South Florida.

One of the leads of the film, Javier Gutierréz, and winner of this year’s Best Actor Goya for his performance, is our special guest at tonight’s panel, which looks at the way in which Spanish films, and those in Latin America and around the world, have dealt with issues of difficult political transitions, the history we inherit, and the new histories we write for our futures.

Other panelists include Jessica Berman, film producer both in Spain and the United States, whose credits include some of the best known films of both David and Fernando Trueba; Dr. Aurora Morcillo, on the faculty of Florida International University, whose most recent book is called Memory and Cultural History of the Spanish Civil War: Realms of Oblivion; and panel moderator Dr. Yvonne Gavela-Ramoson, on the faculty of the University of Miami, whose focus is on Spanish cinema.

In addition to the Thursday, August 20 free panel discussion and reception at 7 pm with the star of the film, Javier Gutiérrez, at Centro Cultural Español, movie-goers will have the opportunity to meet Javier at select theaters for post screening Q&As as follows (visit theater websites for tickets):

• Friday, August 21 at 7 pm: Film followed by a Q&A with a 9 pm reception at MDCs Tower Theatre, 1508 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135.
• Saturday, August 22 at 7 pm: Film followed by a Q&A and a 9 pm party at Cinema Paradiso-Fort Lauderdale, 503 SE 6 Street, Fort Lauderdale 33301.
• Sunday, August 23 at 3 pm: Film followed by a Q&A at Bill Cosford Cinema on UofM Campus, 5030 Brunson Dr, Coral Gables 33146.
• Sunday, August 23 at 6 pm: Film followed by a Q&A at O Cinema Miami Shores, 9806 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores.

Marshland

Spain’s deep-south, 1980. In a small village frozen in time – close to the labyrinth of the marshlands and rice paddies – a serial killer has taken residence and caused the disappearance of several adolescents that no one seems to have missed. But, when two young sisters disappear during the annual festivities, their mother forces an investigation that brings two homicide detectives from Madrid to try and solve the mystery. Juan and Pedro both have extensive experience in homicides yet are very different in methods and style. They will soon face obstacles for which they were not prepared. A strike by local laborers jeopardizes the rice crop and distracts the detectives who are soon under pressure to solve the case quickly. To their surprise, on-going enquiries uncover another source of wealth for the village: illegal drug traffic. The detectives are then ensnared in a web of intrigue fed by the apathy and introverted nature of the locals. Nothing is what it seems in this isolated and opaque region and the investigation encounters unexpected difficulties. Both men realize they must put aside their professional differences if they are to stop the person responsible for the disappearance of the sisters before more young girls go missing.