Mexican Cinema Spotlighted at 4-Day Artsonje Center Festival

Abundant with experimentation, Mexican films have been steadily gaining attention in international film festivals for the last few years, and recently started making appearances in the local film scene. Known for their blunt expressions and rich literary references, Mexican films have contributed a unique sense of artistry to the film world and differ greatly from mainstream Hollywood films.

"The New Windows of Mexican Films," a festival devoted to contemporary Mexican cinema, will be featured Wednesday through Sunday at the Artsonje Center. Sponsored in part by the Mexican Embassy, a total of 11 short and feature films will be presented. Most of these films have been produced in support by the Instituto Mexiano de Cinimatografia (IMCINE), a government-run institution established to bolster the production of Mexican films.

On the first day the following films will be shown: "El Cometa" ("The Comet") by Marisa Sistachand Jose Buil, "Rito Terminal" ("Terminal Rite") by Oscar Urrutia Lazo. In addition, a series of short films such as Sergio Arau's "El Muro" ("The Wall") and Jose Angel Garcia Moreno's "Largo es El Camino Al Cielo" ("Long is the Way to Heaven") can be seen.

On Friday, "Un Dulce Olor a La Muerte" ("A Sweet Scent of Death") by Gabriel Retes will be featured. The film tells of a boy who discovers the naked body of his secret teenage love in his town's oat fields. A tale of murder, deceit and revenge from a child's perspective, the film has been nominated for many awards at festivals such as the Havana Latin American Film Festival and the Cartahena International Film Festival. Also featured on Friday will be "Un Hilito de Sangre" ("A Trickle of Blood") by Erwin Newmaier and "Un Embrujo" ("Under a Spell") by Luis Carlos Carrera.

On Saturday and Sunday there will be a second run of the films featured during the first two days.

Apparently, the Mexican film industry is experiencing difficulties with the abolition of the screen quota system. This system protects local film industries by guaranteeing a set number of screening hours for domestic films. Ironically, the Korean film industry is currently in the midst of the same turmoil and fighting against the abolishment of the system.

The opening event takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday. For more information contact the festival organizers at 02-798-1694 (English service available).

by Park Soo-mee