Sur Press Magazine

The Cinema of the South takes the North

Film production in Latin America is definitively carving out a place for itself in the London listings, with great results. During 2004, we witnessed Argentina's excellent contribution to the 48th The Times London Film Festival. Similarly, there was the chance to appreciate a new and successful stage of the extraordinary Discovering Latinamerica Film Festival that took place over 10 days with special guests, master classes and theoretical events. As if that were not enough, 2004 also marked the return of the traditional 14th London Latinamerica Film Festival that, after a year's respite, captivated British audiences once again.

For this reason, we are presenting a special edition on Latin American cinema with a summary of the most successful films screened in London's most recent film festivals,

Films such as the Colombian "Maria, Full of Grace" (Maria, llena eres de Gracia) which, recently released in London's cinemas, earned its leading lady Carolina Sandino Moreno a nomination for one of North America's most prestigious awards, those of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences - better known as the 'Oscars'. Also from Colombia is the film "The First Night" (La Primera Noche ) that has won prizes in numerous festivals, praised for its exquisite plot that blends the tedious reality that is the life of Colombian peasants, with a far from dream-like love story.

Amongst other highly praised films is "Whisky", appearing on British billboards on 22nd July, a film that has received more prizes than any other in Uruguayan film history. Finally, one thing that proves particularly interesting is a look at the film "La Niña Santa" that, without a shadow of a doubt, continues to maintain the prestige enjoyed by Argentinean cinema.