Argentina: New Cinema 2014 at the Egyptian this month!

Following the success of previous years, the Argentina: New Cinema series returns with some of the best films to emerge from Buenos Aires and beyond in 2013 and 2014.

The annual event has drawn large crowds from both the local Argentine community and foreign-language film fans, and this year's 13th installment promises to be no different, with an impressive lineup including several Los Angeles premieres. 

This has been a very good year for films from Argentine directors. Four were screened  at Cannes: Damian Szifron’s WILD TALES, Lisandro Alonso’s JAUJA, Pablo Fendrik’s EL ARDOR and Pablo Lerman’s REFUGIADO; and four more at the Berlin Film Festival: Benjamin Naishtat’s HISTORY OF FEAR, Celina Murga’s THE THIRD SIDE OF THE RIVER, Ines Maria Barrionuevo’s ATLÁNTIDA and Matias Lucchesi’s NATURAL SCIENCES.

At the Egyptian, some of the finest recent Argentine cinema, ranging from thrillers (BETIBU) to comedies (THE PRINCESS OF FRANCE) and dramas about family (NATURAL SCIENCES), romance and friendship (THE MYSTERY OF HAPPINESS, and the need to find direction in life (Sundance favorite LOCK CHARMER) will be screened.

The powerful Cannes Film Festival selection REFUGIADO adds to the breadth and depth of selections.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see South America’s first home-grown film industry come of age on the big screen! All films are in Spanish with English subtitles unless otherwise noted. Series compiled by Pablo Maseda and Gwen Deglise. Program notes by John Hagelston.

This series is presented by the American Cinematheque and the Consulate General and Promotion Center of the Argentine Republic in Los Angeles. All screenings are at the Egyptian in Hollywood and will run from November 21 through 23.

LOCK CHARMER

A Grand Jury Prize nominee at the Sundance Film Festival, charming drama LOCK CHARMER explores the human need for direction by employing a touch of magic realism. The “Smoke Days” of 2008 in Buenos Aires leave Sebastian (Esteban Lamothe) with an unusual ability to see into peoples’ lives as he fixes their locks. The commitment-phobic locksmith is also dealing with a pregnant girlfriend and an unexpected house guest, and his strange new power may be the key to putting his own life in order. Screens Saturday, November 22.

NATURAL SCIENCES

12-year-old Lila (Paula Hertzog) is struggling with a lot of questions - most of them about her long-absent father. Enlisting a sympathetic teacher (Paola Barrientos), she sets out from her school in rural Argentina in search of answers. Director Matias Lucchesi’s feature debut NATURAL SCIENCES (CIENCIAS NATURALES) screens on opening night, Friday, November 21

See you at the movies!

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Raymond Lo