García Bernal, Braga among Sundance juries

Actors Gael García Bernal and Sônia Braga have been chosen as Sundance 2017 jury members. The two prominent Latin American stars are among 24 judges who will be selecting the best of Sundance in six competitions. One of México’s top actors who has starred in many Oscar and Golden Globe caliber films, García Bernal is a member of the U.S. dramatic jury that will pick winners of nonfiction full features. The 38-year-old actor has received critical acclaim for his performance in some of Mexico’s and Latin America’s most well-known films such as the Academy Award-nominated “Amores Perros,” “Y Tu Mamá También,” “El Crimen del Padre Amaro” and “No.” AWARD WINNER In 2016 he won a Golden Globe for his role in the t.v. comedic drama “Mozart in the Jungle”–and he was nominated again for that award for the same role this year. Other credits include “Diarios de Motocicleta” (The Motorcycle Diaries) and “Babel.” García Bernal’s most recent films include “Desierto” and “Neruda.” In 2005 the Guadalajara-born actor founded Mexico’s Canana Films along with friend and “Y Tu Mamá También”-co-star Diego Luna, turning into a producer and eventually a director in many of the company’s film and t.v projects–including the movies “Cesar Chavez,” “Rudo y Cursi,” "Déficit” and “Sin Nombre.” DOCUMENTARY LOVER García Bernal is co-founder, along with Luna, of the Ambulante Documentary Film Festival. The project brings docs to many places in Mexico that rarely are exposed to the genre. The fest has also gone global with programs in Latin America, the United States and other countries.

For her part, Sônia Braga, one of Brazil’s best known stars who has worked with acclaimed Hollywood directors and starred in internationally acclaimed films, joins Sundance’s world cinema dramatic jury to choose winners from nonfiction international full features. Braga started her acting career in film before achieving fame in her natal Brazil as a television star, first in the children’s educational program Vila Sésamo (Sesame Street) and then in telenovelas like “Irmãos Coragem.” HOLLYWOOD & CANNES But it was the film “Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos” (Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands) that launched Braga’s international career. She’s been nominated for the Golden Globe three times–for her roles in the T.V. series “The Burning Season” and the films “Moon Over Parador” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” She has also worked with directors Robert Redford (“The Milagro Beanfield War”) and Clint Eastwood (“The Rookie”). Her most recent film is “Aquarius,” which competed at Cannes and is now playing in theatres in Brazil. Braga will soon be seen in two Hollywood films, “Wonder” alongside Julia Roberts and “Going Places” alongside Susan Sarandon and John Turturro. –CESAR ARREDONDO

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