South American films stand out in dramatic category

South American filmmaking is well represented this year at Sundance. Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay stand out in the world cinema dramatic competition. Out of 12 films in that category, the Spanish-speaking countries have a total of three, including a binational production. “Mi Amiga del Parque” (My Friend from the Park) is an Argentinian/Uruguayan collaboration directed by the award-winning Ana Katz. She also cowrote the script and plays a leading role in this movie about the friendship of two women with newborn children. Liz and Rosa daringly decide to leave a bar without paying the bill, an adventure that soons leads to danger. Katz has won various international film awards for directing, acting and writing. The film’s cast includes: Julieta Zylberberg (“Wild Tales”), Maricel Álvarez (“Biutiful,” “Un Paraíso Para los Malditos”), Mirella Pascual (“El Último Verano de la Boyita”, “Whisky”), Malena Figó (“Operación Rescate”), and Daniel Hendler (“Derecho de Familia”).

Colombia’s drama “Between Sea and Land” tells the story of Alberto, a ill man trapped in a body that does not obey him. He dreams of knowing the sea, but his condition prevents him from getting into the coastal waters just across the street from his home. Director Manolo Cruz also wrote the screenplay and stars in the film. His fellow castmates are: Vicky Hernández (“La Bruja”), Viviana Serna (“El Señor de los Cielos”), Jorge Cao (“Secretos del Paraíso”), Mile Vergara (“Chepe Fortuna”), and Javier Sáenz. Also co-directing is Carlos del Castillo.

Lastly, Chile competes with “Much Ado About Nothing,” directed by the Sundance award-winning Alejandro Fernández Almendras, who comes back with this drama about political corruption and injustice. This film entitled in Spanish as “Aquí No Ha Pasado Nada” is about a man accused of killing a man while driving intoxicated but whose real perpetrator may be the son a of powerful politician. Starring the movie are: Agustín Silva (“Nasty Baby”, “The Maid”), Alejandro Goic (“The 33,” “The Maid”), Luis Gnecco (“Pérez”), and Paulina García (“Gloria,” “Narcos”). –CESAR ARREDONDO

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