FYIDC: Latin American Film Festival

by Editorial

AFI’s fest brings international favorites, celebs and critically acclaimed films to D.C.

By Anne Kim-Dannibale

Salma Hayek co-stars in Alex de la Iglesia's "As Luck Would Have It." (Photo courtesy AFI Silver Theatre)

Since its feature premier at Sundance, Youssef Delara and Michael D. Olmos’ crowd-pleasing “Filly Brown” has been floating on a lot of buzz. Gina Rodriguez’s charismatic performance as the film’s titular character has turned her into an indie favorite. The film’s big-named supporting cast, which includes Lou Diamond Phillips and Edward James Olmos (Michael D. Olmos’ real-life dad), also received positive reviews. The film itself was immediately snapped up by Indomina Group, the scrappy producer and distributor behind Ice-T’s “Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap,” which is planning a worldwide release this fall.

This and other buzzed-about Spanish-language films are coming to Washington as part of AFI Silver’s Latin American Film Festival, which kicks off Sept. 20 and closes Oct. 10, just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Now in its 23rd year, the festival this year brings on the heat with more than 50 films from international audience favorites to vehicles starring big-named Latino celebrities and critics’ favorites.

Also noteworthy is Alex de la Iglesia’s dark comic satire “As Luck Would Have It,” which co-stars Salma Hayek as the adoring wife of a struggling ad-man who tries to benefit financially from a freak accident.

Abbey Cornish in David Riker's politically charged "The Girl." (Photo courtesy AFI Silver Theatre)

David Riker’s “The Girl” stars Abbey Cornish, playing a desperate mother who resorts to transporting undocumented immigrants across the border from Mexico for money to win her son back.

The emotionally harrowing political coming-of-age "Clandestine Childhood." (Photo courtesy AFI Silver Theatre)

Argentinian filmmaker Benjamin Avila’s debut “Clandestine Childhood” is based on the filmmaker’s own childhood and takes place in 1979. Twelve-year-old Juan and his family return to their native country after years of exile and struggle to adjust to life ruled by a military junta.

For a complete list of films and schedules and to purchase tickets, click here.

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