Adventure, strength, and inspiration form the conceptual and thematic core of four feature-length films and one animated short film from Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, and Canada that OLA of Eastern Long Island will screen during its annual Latino film festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary, September 14-17, 2023. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles.
“We are thrilled to host two US premieres and one New York premiere for our 20th anniversary year. It will be quite the celebration, presenting five culturally rich and hopeful films representing five countries. We are delighted to be partnering again with the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, in addition to our longtime partner the Parrish Art Museum and, for the fourth year in a row, Sag Harbor Cinema,” says OLA’s executive director, Minerva Perez. “This film festival remains at the heart of OLA’s cultural programming as it allows for a shared experience through storytelling that connects us just when we need it most. These films will inspire and challenge audiences in profound and lasting ways.”
This year’s festival opens with the fantastical animated full feature film, Ana and Bruno (Ana y Bruno), which will be screened Thursday, Sept 14 at 8:30 pm at Sag Harbor Cinema – 90 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963. Ana is a peculiar little girl who escapes from a mental institution to search for her father in order to save her mother, embarking on a journey full of thrilling and moving adventures. This film by Carlos Carrera has won three awards for Best Animated Feature, including Mexico’s 61st Ariel Awards.
Tickets: $10 sagharborcinema.org/ola
On Friday, Sept 15 at 7 pm, The Cow Who Sang a Song into the Future (La vaca que cantó una canción hacia el futuro) will screen at the Parrish Art Museum – 279 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976. Magical realism and environmental activism come together in this Chilean drama about the destruction humans have wrought upon the planet and the hope that remains. A bilingual museum tour and reception precede the film at 6 pm. A live Zoom interview with director Francisca Alegría will follow the film at 8:45 pm. The film will be screened in the indoor theater.
Tickets: $16 for non-members; $10 for members and students with ID; $5 for children under 18 parrishart.org/programs-events
The festival moves back to Sag Harbor Cinema on Saturday, Sept 16 at 7 pm with the US Premiere of the Salvadoran film The Sense of the Chords (El sentido de las cuerdas). Directed by Marcela Zamora Chamorro, this film tells the story of three resilient and determined adolescent girls who find a way to survive the consequences of violence in the director’s home country through the power of music, perseverance, and hope, giving their lives meaning for the first time.
Tickets: $10 sagharborcinema.org/ola
The festival concludes with a family-friendly day, presenting the New York Premiere of the full-feature Mexican film The Pink Lagoon (La laguna rosada), preceded by the US Premiere of Frida in the Sky (Frida en el cielo), an animated short by director Dani Sadun from Ecuador and Canada. Both films are in Spanish with English subtitles for all ages on Sunday, Sept 17 at 2 pm at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center – 76 Main St, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978. A Live Q+A will follow with The Pink Lagoon’s director Juan Arce and his sister, the film’s lead actress, Monica Arce.
Tickets: $5 OLAWHBPACFilmFest2023.eventbrite.com
