A Different Alternative
by Carolina Dabdoub, translated by Jorge Vargas
In today’s world, we’re accustomed to a provocative and sensationalist style of film, with large special effects, famous actors, and costly productions. However, this time of Hollywood type of show business isn’t the only type that exists. For its part, Latin America isn’t to be left behind and has much to offer, although not everyone may know it.
Like the rest, film arrived in Latin America toward the end of the 19th century and began to develop little by little. The different nations all present us with productions of different styles and costs but with a certain particularity that differentiates it from European film and from the Hollywood-style. Moreover, they demonstrate to the world what the Spanish-speaking culture can offer.
In general, we see colorful characters and entangled storylines. For instance, one can look at the stories presented to us by the Spaniard Pedro Almodovar. In other instances, we can spot productions based on Latin American literature. This is the case of movies like ‘Don’t Tell Anyone” (1998), based on the book by the same name written by the Peruvian Jaime Bayly and “Red Ink” (2000), based on the book by Alberto Fuguet, the Chilean. One can also see dramatic plots that, in their essence, demonstrate the reality of those nations and their people.
Mexican film is one of the most renowned and caused a sensation in the 1940s. Comedies and melodramas were made that put actors such as Pedro Infante, Maria Felix, and later the still-remembered Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” in the eyes of the whole world. Today we can still see how some Mexican actors triumph in box office hits and honor Latin America’s name; actors such as the young Pedro Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Salma Hayek.
One of the strongest nations at the international level, in terms of cinematography, is Argentina. The actress Libertad Lamarque and Carlos Gardel will always be remembered for their celebrated performances. In the 1990s, a new Argentine cinematographic style arose that changed the course of independent productions and which international awards are beginning to recognize. “Martin H” and “New Ruins” are two productions that marked the period of this new Argentine film-style in which social reflections were the focus.
Peruvian film has recently been rising again. It had a great stage in the 1980s, where topics regarding the national realities of terrorism and the excesses of the military government were dealt with. “Gregorio” is one example of this. However, in the early 1990s, this all stopped and no innovative new suggestions arose. Today, Peruvian film is surprising viewers with movies such as “Pantaleon and the Visitors,” “Paper Doves,” and the recent and controversial “Madeinusa,” all of which comprise a motley display of what this nation’s cinematography has to offer. Furthermore Peru was the first country in South America to produce a 3-D Animated film: “Pirates in Callao.”
Latin American films result as a different alternative to what we’re normally accustomed to. One can make, at low cost, an extraordinary production if the story is there and if the people working on it are adequate. This film school demonstrates the realities of many of these countries, combining fiction with real and historical events on the big screen. In that manner, Latin America is letting herself be known and it portrays a type of culture and art for the whole world.
