Chile, Mexico in shorts competition

A ghost story from Chile and another about a sewage worker from Mexico stand among the short films competing at Sundance this year. One other short from the United States deals with elderly Latino relationships. “Y todo el cielo cupo en el ojo de la vaca muerta” (The Whole Sky Fit In The Dead Cow's Eye) tells the story of Emeteria, whose patrón’s soul is visiting her from beyond. She believes Teodoro wants to take her to the afterlife but the ghost may have a different reason–to deliver news that may be devastating to the living. Directed and written by Francisca Alegría, the US-Chile co-production competed in the Germany’s Oldenburg Film Festival last year and was a candidate for the German Independence Award for best short film. This is Alegría’s second short as both director and writer.

“The Whole Sky Fit In The Dead Cow's Eye” competes in the international narrative short films, facing selections from Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Japan, Luxembourg, Nepal, Poland, Portugal, and United Kingdom. IN THE SEWER

“El Buzo” (The Diver) also features a different world: the sewer system of Mexico City. Director Esteban Arrangoiz follows chief diver Julio César Cu Cámara whose job is to keep dirty waters circulating in the national capital’s underbelly, repairing pumps and dislodging garbage that flows into the gutters. The short also stands out as the only Latino film that is part of The New Climate, a program dedicated to films and other projects about environmental change and conservation. Last year “The Diver” won awards to best documentary short at the international film festivals of the Mexican cities of Guanajuato and Morelia. It has also competed in fests in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany and Spain.

“The Diver” competes in a field of 12 entries of the international documentary shorts that also includes works from Canada, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, and USA.

FANTASY & ANIMATION Other shorts with Latino connections are “Kaiju Bunraku” and “Victor & Isolina,” both from the United States.

Directed by Miami-based Lucas Leyva and Jillian Mayer, “Kaiju Bunraku” is a fantastic tale about a day in the life of a husband and wife living in a world of giant monsters. It is one of 17 competitors in the US narrative short films category.

HE SAID/SHE SAID

On the other hand, “Victor & Isolina” by William Caballero may be more rooted in real life issues but told through animation. Visualized through 3D printing, the film is about two elderly Latinos who tell their differing versions, in the style of “he said/she said”, of the reasons they ended their 50- year-long love affair. “Victor & Isolina” competes in a group of 14 animated short films from around the world and the USA. Sixty-eight short films face off in five categories at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The Festival hosts screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort in Provo Jan.19 through 29.

–CESAR ARREDONDO