To call Alberto Arvelo’s epic saga “The Liberator" and ambitious project might be a baffling understatement. The Venezuelan filmmaker undertook his most challenging project to date with the vision to transform his country’s most beloved historical figure into a tangible, flesh-and-bone man for people to connect with in the 21st century. Not only is this the most expensive film ever made in Latin American, but the fact that it was achieved solely with Venezuelan and Spanish resources allowed Arvelo to keep the project’s integrity. One of the most important elements that needed to be kept intact was the language. This film had to be in Spanish.
Simon Bolivar, played here by rising Hollywood star Édgar Ramírez , sought to liberate Latin America from Spanish control and to unify it into a single, powerful country. His dream of unification was never achieved, but his ideals remained as a pillar of wisdom all across the continent. Given the magnitude of the hero being portrayed, Arvelo faced tremendous obstacles to craft a film that would be at the level of a major studio production in terms of scope and technical proficiency, while at the same time presenting an authentic and personal depiction of this period in history.
Released theatrically in the U.S. by Cohen Media Group earlier this year, “The Liberator” is now Venezuela’s Official Submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. Alberto Arvelo talked to us recently about the responsibility of helming this film, working with fellow Venezuelan Edgar Ramirez, and his vision of Bolivar.
Aguilar: As a Venezuelan, did you feel any pressure making a film about your’ countries greatest historical figure? Did you always want to make a film like this?
Alberto Arvelo: It's a great responsibility to make a film about a figure as iconic as Simón Bolívar. Part of the problem is what Tim Sexton realized when we started working on the project: everybody has their own version of Bolívar, and it's impossible to satisfy each of those visions. Some consider that the most important part of his life is his independence exploits, other consider that it is his life as a statesman. Simón Bolívar is the classic product of Romanticism and each one of those facets are important to understand him. Ever since I decided to make movies one of my dreams has been to make a film about the saga for independence in South America.
Aguilar: This is the most expensive film ever made in Latin America, how difficult was it to get it done, and get it done right since it is a period piece?
Alberto Arvelo: "The Liberator" has been a great effort, an effort of years, almost a decade's worth of work. Historical films are a particularly difficult genre, because they involve conscientious work by many artists specialized in that genre. There was a great collective effort around the exploration of a period that has not been often recreated for the movies, which is Latin America in the Xix century.
Aguilar: The cinematography is gorgeous; it adds a certain unique elegance. What was your approach, and your cinematographer’s of course, in realizing this vision?
Alberto Arvelo: Xavi Giménez and I always wanted to veer away from beautiful historical movies. We were not interested in a perfect –and distant– recreation of Bolívar; we were interested, rather, in recreating a more contemporary visual language, more daring, more poetic, let's say. Xavi was very interested in the strength and rawness of the light in the tropics. We experimented a lot with the light. In the process, Xavi fell in love with an extraordinary post-impressionist Venezuelan painter from the Xx century called Armando Reverón. Somehow, a large part of his work is a tribute to the light of Master Reverón.
Aguilar: In film of such epic proportions about an icon, did you find it hard to still create a human character out of Bolivar? Someone outside of the history books with flaws, hopes, to which people could related.
Alberto Arvelo: The intention was to separate the character from the myth of Bolívar, to make him into a man, with all his limitations, his sympathies, his fears. The danger when working with great historical figures is that we end up facing concepts, not men of flesh and bone. These conceptual characters lack defects, weaknesses or dark areas and become perfectly good, perfectly just or perfectly virtuous. Reality is always different, it's not black or white, it wanders in the gray areas, with more or less light. I feel that today's filmgoers do not want to see concepts, they want to see human beings. An idolized Bolívar never interested me, because it felt vapid, empty, untrue. In the film we tried to show a more real dimension to the character. I believe that Timothy J. Sexton did an outstanding job in that sense.
Aguilar: “The Liberator” was an iconic single individual, was it your intention to also give importance to the peripheral characters that helped him achieve his goals?
Alberto Arvelo: The Independence of South America was a collective effort, not the product of a single man. Although Bolívar brilliantly aggregated all that energy, at the end of the day it was a movement which was developing much earlier before he burst into the political scene. In the film we show how his discourse somehow takes shape and builds up thanks to the contributions and inspiration of other characters. The phrases that make up the heart of his discourse, for instance, are first uttered by Francisco de Miranda, one of the most prominent and important figures of the South American Independence movement, also known as the Forefather. We put on the table the inspiration that Bolívar received, not only from him, but also from other characters reflected in the film, such as the controversial Simón Rodríguez, one of his teachers. In the film we also give proper weight to the women who accompanied him through his life, leaving in him a prominent mark.
Aguilar: Something I thought was incredibly was the bold presentation of Bolivar’s ideas. He wanted the unification of Latin America and was suspicious of the world’s empires intentions (England, France, Spain). Did you ever think making a point of this would be risky, or did you feel it was important to be true to the character?
Alberto Arvelo: To speak of Bolívar, Artigas, or of San Martín, is to speak of the independence struggles of South America, so it means to speak about the ideas that drove the confrontation with Spain and European dominance. I feel it would be hard to understand Washington or Jefferson without exploring the confrontation they created against the traditional European powers. It was interesting as well to explore the fact that from South America that movement was perceived as a war of independence, but from Spain's Pov what was happening instead was a civil war. Let's not forget that Bolívar was born in Caracas, in the Kingdom of Spain.
Aguilar: Can you tell us about your experience working with Edgar Ramirez; he seems to embody the character perfectly. Was he always in your mind as the ideal choice for the role?
Alberto Arvelo: I worked with Edgar before. I always thought that the actor who would play Bolívar would have to be a person with a very strong body language (all the reports from chroniclers of the time mention the intensity of his gaze and of his character.) I thought I'd need an actor who could move comfortably from action scenes to scenes with strong emotional baggage. Besides, we wanted, as much as possible, characters represented by actors of the same nationality. Considering those ingredients, a clear choice surfaced: Edgar Ramírez. Edgar and I worked together on other projects, and I would do it again: he's an actor who gives his all in every take. It's a pleasure to work with someone like that.
Aguilar: Has the film been seen by audiences back in your home country? What was the reaction?
Alberto Arvelo: Tickets sold out in every theater of the entire country during the first week it showed. The people's reaction has been quite positive. People leave excited about being able to see their own history in a movie theater.
Aguilar: A period piece of this magnitude with some incredible landscapes, costumes, battle sequences, and above all based on a real person. What were the biggest challenges from a directional point of view?
Alberto Arvelo: The battles, undoubtedly. We made a very careful storyboard of each shot of the battles and even an animated recreation with a bit of music. I worked quite a bit with Xavi Giménez and the rest of the team, on a raw, credible visual language, where the fear and bewilderment would be a striking element of the battle. We tried to make the battle tell us small stories which would connect directly with feeling.
Aguilar: Can you tell me about the process of researching Bolivar’s life and this period in history? Did you do your own research or did you see what Timothy Sexton put in his screenplay and then went from there?
Alberto Arvelo: I worked with Tim quite a bit on historical research. We read together many of the most important biographies and we absorbed everything that we could get our hands on. We explored the possibility of narrating the movie from the point of view of some of the character's detractors, but in the end Tim decided to narrate the film from Bolívar's Pov. I've always been attracted to Tim's disruptive and contemporary vision - he saw the movie more like a thriller than a historical piece.
Simon Bolivar, played here by rising Hollywood star Édgar Ramírez , sought to liberate Latin America from Spanish control and to unify it into a single, powerful country. His dream of unification was never achieved, but his ideals remained as a pillar of wisdom all across the continent. Given the magnitude of the hero being portrayed, Arvelo faced tremendous obstacles to craft a film that would be at the level of a major studio production in terms of scope and technical proficiency, while at the same time presenting an authentic and personal depiction of this period in history.
Released theatrically in the U.S. by Cohen Media Group earlier this year, “The Liberator” is now Venezuela’s Official Submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. Alberto Arvelo talked to us recently about the responsibility of helming this film, working with fellow Venezuelan Edgar Ramirez, and his vision of Bolivar.
Aguilar: As a Venezuelan, did you feel any pressure making a film about your’ countries greatest historical figure? Did you always want to make a film like this?
Alberto Arvelo: It's a great responsibility to make a film about a figure as iconic as Simón Bolívar. Part of the problem is what Tim Sexton realized when we started working on the project: everybody has their own version of Bolívar, and it's impossible to satisfy each of those visions. Some consider that the most important part of his life is his independence exploits, other consider that it is his life as a statesman. Simón Bolívar is the classic product of Romanticism and each one of those facets are important to understand him. Ever since I decided to make movies one of my dreams has been to make a film about the saga for independence in South America.
Aguilar: This is the most expensive film ever made in Latin America, how difficult was it to get it done, and get it done right since it is a period piece?
Alberto Arvelo: "The Liberator" has been a great effort, an effort of years, almost a decade's worth of work. Historical films are a particularly difficult genre, because they involve conscientious work by many artists specialized in that genre. There was a great collective effort around the exploration of a period that has not been often recreated for the movies, which is Latin America in the Xix century.
Aguilar: The cinematography is gorgeous; it adds a certain unique elegance. What was your approach, and your cinematographer’s of course, in realizing this vision?
Alberto Arvelo: Xavi Giménez and I always wanted to veer away from beautiful historical movies. We were not interested in a perfect –and distant– recreation of Bolívar; we were interested, rather, in recreating a more contemporary visual language, more daring, more poetic, let's say. Xavi was very interested in the strength and rawness of the light in the tropics. We experimented a lot with the light. In the process, Xavi fell in love with an extraordinary post-impressionist Venezuelan painter from the Xx century called Armando Reverón. Somehow, a large part of his work is a tribute to the light of Master Reverón.
Aguilar: In film of such epic proportions about an icon, did you find it hard to still create a human character out of Bolivar? Someone outside of the history books with flaws, hopes, to which people could related.
Alberto Arvelo: The intention was to separate the character from the myth of Bolívar, to make him into a man, with all his limitations, his sympathies, his fears. The danger when working with great historical figures is that we end up facing concepts, not men of flesh and bone. These conceptual characters lack defects, weaknesses or dark areas and become perfectly good, perfectly just or perfectly virtuous. Reality is always different, it's not black or white, it wanders in the gray areas, with more or less light. I feel that today's filmgoers do not want to see concepts, they want to see human beings. An idolized Bolívar never interested me, because it felt vapid, empty, untrue. In the film we tried to show a more real dimension to the character. I believe that Timothy J. Sexton did an outstanding job in that sense.
Aguilar: “The Liberator” was an iconic single individual, was it your intention to also give importance to the peripheral characters that helped him achieve his goals?
Alberto Arvelo: The Independence of South America was a collective effort, not the product of a single man. Although Bolívar brilliantly aggregated all that energy, at the end of the day it was a movement which was developing much earlier before he burst into the political scene. In the film we show how his discourse somehow takes shape and builds up thanks to the contributions and inspiration of other characters. The phrases that make up the heart of his discourse, for instance, are first uttered by Francisco de Miranda, one of the most prominent and important figures of the South American Independence movement, also known as the Forefather. We put on the table the inspiration that Bolívar received, not only from him, but also from other characters reflected in the film, such as the controversial Simón Rodríguez, one of his teachers. In the film we also give proper weight to the women who accompanied him through his life, leaving in him a prominent mark.
Aguilar: Something I thought was incredibly was the bold presentation of Bolivar’s ideas. He wanted the unification of Latin America and was suspicious of the world’s empires intentions (England, France, Spain). Did you ever think making a point of this would be risky, or did you feel it was important to be true to the character?
Alberto Arvelo: To speak of Bolívar, Artigas, or of San Martín, is to speak of the independence struggles of South America, so it means to speak about the ideas that drove the confrontation with Spain and European dominance. I feel it would be hard to understand Washington or Jefferson without exploring the confrontation they created against the traditional European powers. It was interesting as well to explore the fact that from South America that movement was perceived as a war of independence, but from Spain's Pov what was happening instead was a civil war. Let's not forget that Bolívar was born in Caracas, in the Kingdom of Spain.
Aguilar: Can you tell us about your experience working with Edgar Ramirez; he seems to embody the character perfectly. Was he always in your mind as the ideal choice for the role?
Alberto Arvelo: I worked with Edgar before. I always thought that the actor who would play Bolívar would have to be a person with a very strong body language (all the reports from chroniclers of the time mention the intensity of his gaze and of his character.) I thought I'd need an actor who could move comfortably from action scenes to scenes with strong emotional baggage. Besides, we wanted, as much as possible, characters represented by actors of the same nationality. Considering those ingredients, a clear choice surfaced: Edgar Ramírez. Edgar and I worked together on other projects, and I would do it again: he's an actor who gives his all in every take. It's a pleasure to work with someone like that.
Aguilar: Has the film been seen by audiences back in your home country? What was the reaction?
Alberto Arvelo: Tickets sold out in every theater of the entire country during the first week it showed. The people's reaction has been quite positive. People leave excited about being able to see their own history in a movie theater.
Aguilar: A period piece of this magnitude with some incredible landscapes, costumes, battle sequences, and above all based on a real person. What were the biggest challenges from a directional point of view?
Alberto Arvelo: The battles, undoubtedly. We made a very careful storyboard of each shot of the battles and even an animated recreation with a bit of music. I worked quite a bit with Xavi Giménez and the rest of the team, on a raw, credible visual language, where the fear and bewilderment would be a striking element of the battle. We tried to make the battle tell us small stories which would connect directly with feeling.
Aguilar: Can you tell me about the process of researching Bolivar’s life and this period in history? Did you do your own research or did you see what Timothy Sexton put in his screenplay and then went from there?
Alberto Arvelo: I worked with Tim quite a bit on historical research. We read together many of the most important biographies and we absorbed everything that we could get our hands on. We explored the possibility of narrating the movie from the point of view of some of the character's detractors, but in the end Tim decided to narrate the film from Bolívar's Pov. I've always been attracted to Tim's disruptive and contemporary vision - he saw the movie more like a thriller than a historical piece.
- 12/9/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Foreign films and a doc scored well in the Specialty arena this weekend. That isn’t something I get to write very often but it’s a pleasure when it happens. China Lion‘s Breakup Buddies, Tribeca Film‘s music doc Nas: Time Is Illmatic and Bollywood heavyweight Bang Bang all pulled in solid numbers when they debuted this weekend among U.S. speciality films.
By contrast, the weekend’s most notable U.S. indie debut, Jason Reitman‘s Men, Women & Children, took a dive in its first limited runs, while Radius-twc’s music documentary Keep On Keepin’ On again lived up to its name, gathering momentum in its third week.
That so-so start came even though Paramount seemingly did everything right for Men, Women & Children after a premiere at Toronto. The company created a marketing campaign that targeted both social networking-savvy young audiences and the traditional movie-going crowd. The...
By contrast, the weekend’s most notable U.S. indie debut, Jason Reitman‘s Men, Women & Children, took a dive in its first limited runs, while Radius-twc’s music documentary Keep On Keepin’ On again lived up to its name, gathering momentum in its third week.
That so-so start came even though Paramount seemingly did everything right for Men, Women & Children after a premiere at Toronto. The company created a marketing campaign that targeted both social networking-savvy young audiences and the traditional movie-going crowd. The...
- 10/5/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
Alberto Arvelo’s Simón Bolívar epic The Liberator – Libertador starring Edgar Ramírez will represent Venezuela as the foreign language Oscar submission.
Spanish actress María Valverde, Danny Huston, Imanol Arias and Gary Lewis also star in the story of Bolivar’s fight to free South America from Spanish rule and his role in establishing the Hispanic-American republic of Gran Colombia.
Mundial handles international sales on The Liberator – Libertador and Cohen Media Group holds North American rights and will release theatrically on October 3.
The film generated close to 600,000 admissions when it opened in Venezuela on July 24. The Venezuelan committee chose the film for its “artistic and production value, staging/realisation, music and photography.”
Timothy Sexton wrote the screenplay and Ana Loehnert, Winfried Hammacher and Arvelo produced. Ramírez served as executive producer with Maria A Guerrero Rocca.
The film shot in Venezuelan locations such as Llanos de Acarigua, Parque Nacional de Canaima and Caracas, in addition...
Spanish actress María Valverde, Danny Huston, Imanol Arias and Gary Lewis also star in the story of Bolivar’s fight to free South America from Spanish rule and his role in establishing the Hispanic-American republic of Gran Colombia.
Mundial handles international sales on The Liberator – Libertador and Cohen Media Group holds North American rights and will release theatrically on October 3.
The film generated close to 600,000 admissions when it opened in Venezuela on July 24. The Venezuelan committee chose the film for its “artistic and production value, staging/realisation, music and photography.”
Timothy Sexton wrote the screenplay and Ana Loehnert, Winfried Hammacher and Arvelo produced. Ramírez served as executive producer with Maria A Guerrero Rocca.
The film shot in Venezuelan locations such as Llanos de Acarigua, Parque Nacional de Canaima and Caracas, in addition...
- 9/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Composers Gustavo Dudamel, Gustavo Santaolalla and John Williams will gather at the Academy for “Behind the Score: The Art of the Film Composer,” on Monday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bing Theater in Los Angeles.
In a conversation hosted by Tavis Smiley, the illustrious trio will discuss significant musical moments in film that have inspired their work as they examine the art and process of creating a film score as well as the director-composer collaboration.
Dudamel, now entering his sixth season as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, made his first foray into composing for motion pictures with “The Liberator (Libertador),” a biopic about Simón Bolívar that screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival earlier this month. The score for this film, as well as a CD on Deutsche Grammophon, was recorded with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, of which Dudamel is music director. Dudamel...
In a conversation hosted by Tavis Smiley, the illustrious trio will discuss significant musical moments in film that have inspired their work as they examine the art and process of creating a film score as well as the director-composer collaboration.
Dudamel, now entering his sixth season as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, made his first foray into composing for motion pictures with “The Liberator (Libertador),” a biopic about Simón Bolívar that screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival earlier this month. The score for this film, as well as a CD on Deutsche Grammophon, was recorded with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, of which Dudamel is music director. Dudamel...
- 6/30/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
When Marvel hired Scott Derrickson to direct their upcoming Doctor Strange movie, my first thought was, I hope he casts Édgar Ramírez. Turns out, he might! Ramírez is doing press for the Derrickson-directed thriller Deliver Us From Evil, and IGN asked him if the director had approached him about a role in the Marvel movie. The actor said,
"We’re talking. We’ve been talking."
I would like Ramírez to be in all the things, so I am hoping that means he is about to sign on to star in Doctor Strange. But the actor wouldn't elaborate on what exactly they've been talking about, so it could mean that he joins Jared Leto, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Hardy on the short (but apparently growing) list of actors up for the titular role, or it could mean that he is in the running to play Doctor Strange’s nemesis Baron Mordo,...
"We’re talking. We’ve been talking."
I would like Ramírez to be in all the things, so I am hoping that means he is about to sign on to star in Doctor Strange. But the actor wouldn't elaborate on what exactly they've been talking about, so it could mean that he joins Jared Leto, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Hardy on the short (but apparently growing) list of actors up for the titular role, or it could mean that he is in the running to play Doctor Strange’s nemesis Baron Mordo,...
- 6/24/2014
- by Mily Dunbar
- GeekTyrant
That shot above looks like it could almost be Édgar Ramírez as Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, but in reality it is Ramírez as Simón Bolívar in the film The Liberator (aka Libertador). Or, if you want to be proper about it, the image shows Ramírez as Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte […]
The post ‘The Liberator’ Trailer: Édgar Ramírez Fights for Freedom appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Liberator’ Trailer: Édgar Ramírez Fights for Freedom appeared first on /Film.
- 6/13/2014
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
"We are all sons of America." Cohen Media Group has debuted the trailer for Alberto Arvelo's Libertador, also known as The Liberator, starring Edgar Ramirez as Simon Bolivar, the Latin American revolutionary from the late 1700s and early 1800s. This sweeping and majestic biopic tells the story of how he liberated and helped Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia gain independence from the Spanish Empire. In addition to Ramirez, Libertador also stars Maria Valverde, Danny Huston, Imanol Arias, and Gary Lewis. The performances look powerful, but the cinematography looks exceptional. This might be worth watching. Here's the first official Us trailer for Alberto Arvelo's Libertador, originally debuted by Yahoo: The Liberator, or Libertador in Spanish, is directed by Venezuelan filmmaker Alberto Arvelo Mendoza of a few films previously including Habana, Havana and To Play and to Fight. The screenplay was written by Timothy J. Sexton. Édgar Ramírez stars as Simón Bolívar,...
- 6/12/2014
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival kicks off today June 11th at the Regal Cinemas in Downtown's L.A. Live. Among the the world class selection of films that includes several World Premiers and special screenings of highly-anticipated films such as "Snowpiercer" and "Jersey Boys", there are also several Latino-produced and Latino-theme features in the program.
Here is all the information you need to catch these Latino films at Laff running from June 11th-19th.
To purchase tickets visit Here
Club Sandwich by Fernando Eimbcke
(Mexico, 2013, 82 min)
International Showcase
Sat, Jun 14th 9:30pm
Wed, Jun 18th 4:00pm
On their summer vacation, single mom Paloma and her teenage son Hector’s unique friendship is tested when Jazmin, a young stranger, vies for Hector’s affections. In his hilarious and touching third feature, acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke explores the growing pains of parenthood and adolescence.
La Bamba by Luis Valdez
(USA, 1987, 108 min)
Free Screenings
Fri, Jun 13th 7:30pm
Union Station
This musical biopic recounts the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens, who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
Lake Los Angeles by Mike Ott – World Premiere
(USA, 2014, 85 min)
Narrative Competition
Sat, Jun 14th 7:30pm
Thu, Jun 19th 4:30pm
Abandoned after crossing the U.S. border, young Cecilia’s only salvation is her vivid imagination and Francisco, a lonely Cuban immigrant. Writer/director Mike Ott returns to the Los Angeles Film Festival with a gorgeous tale of two strangers brought together in the barren Southern California desert.
The Liberator by Alberto Arvelo
(Venezuela, Spain, 2013, 119 min)
International Showcase
Sun, Jun 15th 7:30pm
Wed, Jun 18th 1:30pm
Édgar Ramírez plays the legendary South American liberator Simón Bolívar in this gorgeously produced epic that traces his transformation from dashing 19th century aristocrat to charismatic, embattled revolutionary.
Los Angeles by Damian John Harper - International Premiere
(Germany, Mexico, 2014, 97 min)
La Muse
Sat, Jun 14th 3:45pm
In a Zapotec village in southern Mexico, journeying north to the City of Angels is a rite of passage into manhood. But when 17-year old Mateo betrays a local gang leader, he risks his future on both sides of the border.
Man From Reno by Dave Boyle – World Premiere
(Japan, USA, 2014, 111 min)
Narrative Competition
Sun, Jun 15th 6:40pm
Wed, Jun 18th 9:00pm
A Japanese crime novelist and a small town sheriff are lured into the same strange murder mystery in this idiosyncratic and engrossing neo-noir. Unfolding on the backstreets and outskirts of San Francisco, "Man from Reno"is sinister and seductive by turns.
Natural Sciences by Matías Lucchesi
(Argentina, France, 2014, 71 min)
International Showcase
Sun, Jun 15th 11:00am
Tue, Jun 17th 9:00pm
In the dead of winter, 12-year-old Lila tries to escape from her remote Argentinian boarding school on horseback. Her teacher stops her, but Lila's determination wins her over, and together, they set out on a journey to track down the father Lila never knew.
Recommended By Enrique by Rania Attieh & Daniel Garcia – World Premiere
(USA, Argentina, France, 2014, 87 min)
Narrative Competition
Fri, Jun 13th 7:25pm
Tue, Jun 17th 4:10pm
An aspiring Hollywood actress and a mysterious cowboy find themselves trapped in a small Texas border town where time seems to stand still. Based on a bizarre true story that they delight in elaborating on, filmmakers Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia weave a mesmerizing, witty fable about dreams and reality.
Stray Dog by Debra Granik - World Premiere
(USA, 2014, 105 min)
Documentary Competition
Fri, Jun 13th 7:00pm
Sun, Jun 15th 12:30pm
At first glance, Ron "Stray Dog" Hall seems like one scary biker, but "Winter's Bone" director Debra Granik's powerful, stereotype-shattering documentary debut reveals the big, wounded heart of this Vietnam vet in all its ragged glory.
Here is all the information you need to catch these Latino films at Laff running from June 11th-19th.
To purchase tickets visit Here
Club Sandwich by Fernando Eimbcke
(Mexico, 2013, 82 min)
International Showcase
Sat, Jun 14th 9:30pm
Wed, Jun 18th 4:00pm
On their summer vacation, single mom Paloma and her teenage son Hector’s unique friendship is tested when Jazmin, a young stranger, vies for Hector’s affections. In his hilarious and touching third feature, acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke explores the growing pains of parenthood and adolescence.
La Bamba by Luis Valdez
(USA, 1987, 108 min)
Free Screenings
Fri, Jun 13th 7:30pm
Union Station
This musical biopic recounts the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens, who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
Lake Los Angeles by Mike Ott – World Premiere
(USA, 2014, 85 min)
Narrative Competition
Sat, Jun 14th 7:30pm
Thu, Jun 19th 4:30pm
Abandoned after crossing the U.S. border, young Cecilia’s only salvation is her vivid imagination and Francisco, a lonely Cuban immigrant. Writer/director Mike Ott returns to the Los Angeles Film Festival with a gorgeous tale of two strangers brought together in the barren Southern California desert.
The Liberator by Alberto Arvelo
(Venezuela, Spain, 2013, 119 min)
International Showcase
Sun, Jun 15th 7:30pm
Wed, Jun 18th 1:30pm
Édgar Ramírez plays the legendary South American liberator Simón Bolívar in this gorgeously produced epic that traces his transformation from dashing 19th century aristocrat to charismatic, embattled revolutionary.
Los Angeles by Damian John Harper - International Premiere
(Germany, Mexico, 2014, 97 min)
La Muse
Sat, Jun 14th 3:45pm
In a Zapotec village in southern Mexico, journeying north to the City of Angels is a rite of passage into manhood. But when 17-year old Mateo betrays a local gang leader, he risks his future on both sides of the border.
Man From Reno by Dave Boyle – World Premiere
(Japan, USA, 2014, 111 min)
Narrative Competition
Sun, Jun 15th 6:40pm
Wed, Jun 18th 9:00pm
A Japanese crime novelist and a small town sheriff are lured into the same strange murder mystery in this idiosyncratic and engrossing neo-noir. Unfolding on the backstreets and outskirts of San Francisco, "Man from Reno"is sinister and seductive by turns.
Natural Sciences by Matías Lucchesi
(Argentina, France, 2014, 71 min)
International Showcase
Sun, Jun 15th 11:00am
Tue, Jun 17th 9:00pm
In the dead of winter, 12-year-old Lila tries to escape from her remote Argentinian boarding school on horseback. Her teacher stops her, but Lila's determination wins her over, and together, they set out on a journey to track down the father Lila never knew.
Recommended By Enrique by Rania Attieh & Daniel Garcia – World Premiere
(USA, Argentina, France, 2014, 87 min)
Narrative Competition
Fri, Jun 13th 7:25pm
Tue, Jun 17th 4:10pm
An aspiring Hollywood actress and a mysterious cowboy find themselves trapped in a small Texas border town where time seems to stand still. Based on a bizarre true story that they delight in elaborating on, filmmakers Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia weave a mesmerizing, witty fable about dreams and reality.
Stray Dog by Debra Granik - World Premiere
(USA, 2014, 105 min)
Documentary Competition
Fri, Jun 13th 7:00pm
Sun, Jun 15th 12:30pm
At first glance, Ron "Stray Dog" Hall seems like one scary biker, but "Winter's Bone" director Debra Granik's powerful, stereotype-shattering documentary debut reveals the big, wounded heart of this Vietnam vet in all its ragged glory.
- 6/11/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Cohen Media Group has picked up all North American rights and Polar Star has acquired Latin American rights from Mundial to the Simón Bolívar drama Libertador.
Alberto Arvelo directed the story from a screenplay by Timothy J Sexton that chronicles the life of the renowned 19th century revolutionary who liberated Latin America from Spanish rule.
Édgar Ramírez stars alongside María Valverde, Danny Huston and Iwan Rheon and Ana Loehnert produced with Winfried Hammacher and Arvelo.
Cohen Media Group brokered the deal with Cinetic Media and Mundial, the joint venture between Im Global and Canana.
Alberto Arvelo directed the story from a screenplay by Timothy J Sexton that chronicles the life of the renowned 19th century revolutionary who liberated Latin America from Spanish rule.
Édgar Ramírez stars alongside María Valverde, Danny Huston and Iwan Rheon and Ana Loehnert produced with Winfried Hammacher and Arvelo.
Cohen Media Group brokered the deal with Cinetic Media and Mundial, the joint venture between Im Global and Canana.
- 2/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Actor and director who brought dark good looks and a commanding presence to his roles
Austrian by birth, Swiss by circumstance and international by reputation, Maximilian Schell, who has died aged 83, was a distinguished actor, director, writer and producer. However, he will be best remembered as an actor, especially for his Oscar-winning performance in Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) – an early highlight among scores of television and movie appearances. He also directed opera, worked tirelessly in the theatre and made six feature films, including Marlene (1984) - a tantalising portrait of Dietrich, his co-star in Judgment, who is heard being interviewed but not seen, except in movie extracts.
Schell courted controversy and much of his work, including The Pedestrian (1973), dealt with the second world war, its attendant crimes and the notion of collective guilt. In 1990, when he was offered a special award for his contributions to German film, he refused to accept it.
Austrian by birth, Swiss by circumstance and international by reputation, Maximilian Schell, who has died aged 83, was a distinguished actor, director, writer and producer. However, he will be best remembered as an actor, especially for his Oscar-winning performance in Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) – an early highlight among scores of television and movie appearances. He also directed opera, worked tirelessly in the theatre and made six feature films, including Marlene (1984) - a tantalising portrait of Dietrich, his co-star in Judgment, who is heard being interviewed but not seen, except in movie extracts.
Schell courted controversy and much of his work, including The Pedestrian (1973), dealt with the second world war, its attendant crimes and the notion of collective guilt. In 1990, when he was offered a special award for his contributions to German film, he refused to accept it.
- 2/3/2014
- by Brian Baxter
- The Guardian - Film News
Maximilian Schell dead at 83: Best Actor Oscar winner for ‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ (photo: Maximilian Schell ca. 1960) Actor and filmmaker Maximilian Schell, best known for his Oscar-winning performance as the defense attorney in Stanley Kramer’s 1961 political drama Judgment at Nuremberg died at a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, on February 1, 2014. According to his agent, Patricia Baumbauer, Schell died overnight following a "sudden and serious illness." Maximilian Schell was 83. Born on December 8, 1930, in Vienna, Maximilian Schell was the younger brother of future actor Carl Schell and Maria Schell, who would become an international film star in the 1950s (The Last Bridge, Gervaise, The Hanging Tree). Immy Schell, who would be featured in several television and film productions from the mid-’50s to the early ’90s, was born in 1935. Following Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938, Schell’s parents, Swiss playwright Hermann Ferdinand Schell and Austrian stage actress Margarete Schell Noé,...
- 2/2/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The Toronto International Film Festival® has announced the addition of 3 Galas and 19 Special Presentations to the 2013 Festival programme, including a further 12 World Premieres. Representing countries from around the world, the Gala and Special Presentations programmes offer a lineup of diverse titles and genres.
Toronto audiences will be among the first to screen films by directors Fred Schepisi, Alberto Arvelo, Reha Erdem, Dexter Fletcher, Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, Megan Griffiths, Arnaud Larrieu and Jean-Marie Larrieu, Kevin Macdonald, Arie Posin, Charlie Stratton, Nils Tavernier and John Turturro.
The 38th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 5 to 15, 2013.
Galas Blood Ties
Guillaume Canet, France/USA North American Premiere
New York, 1974. 50-year-old Chris has just been released on good behavior after spending several years in prison. Waiting for him reluctantly outside the prison gates is his younger brother, Frank, a cop with a bright future. Chris and Frank have always been different, yet blood...
Toronto audiences will be among the first to screen films by directors Fred Schepisi, Alberto Arvelo, Reha Erdem, Dexter Fletcher, Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, Megan Griffiths, Arnaud Larrieu and Jean-Marie Larrieu, Kevin Macdonald, Arie Posin, Charlie Stratton, Nils Tavernier and John Turturro.
The 38th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 5 to 15, 2013.
Galas Blood Ties
Guillaume Canet, France/USA North American Premiere
New York, 1974. 50-year-old Chris has just been released on good behavior after spending several years in prison. Waiting for him reluctantly outside the prison gates is his younger brother, Frank, a cop with a bright future. Chris and Frank have always been different, yet blood...
- 8/17/2013
- by John
- SoundOnSight
President Maduro orders Tracy's detention on suspicions that he had channelled Us money to anti-government protesters
Timothy Tracy was a little-known filmmaker until he was thrown into the international spotlight by the Venezuelan government and accused of working for Us intelligence.
President Nicolás Maduro ordered Tracy's detention on Thursday on suspicions that the 35-year-old American had channelled Us money to student protestors and instigated violent protests in the wake of the presidential election earlier this month.
Citing more than 500 videos as evidence, interior minister Miguel Rodríguez Torres said he had ample proof that Tracy was involved in seditious activities.
President Maduro said Tracy had visited several cities to promote violence and said that he personally ordered his arrest on suspicion of "creating violence in the cities of this country". But friends and associates dispute the claim that he was fomenting unrest.
Tracy, a graduate of Georgetown University, reportedly arrived in...
Timothy Tracy was a little-known filmmaker until he was thrown into the international spotlight by the Venezuelan government and accused of working for Us intelligence.
President Nicolás Maduro ordered Tracy's detention on Thursday on suspicions that the 35-year-old American had channelled Us money to student protestors and instigated violent protests in the wake of the presidential election earlier this month.
Citing more than 500 videos as evidence, interior minister Miguel Rodríguez Torres said he had ample proof that Tracy was involved in seditious activities.
President Maduro said Tracy had visited several cities to promote violence and said that he personally ordered his arrest on suspicion of "creating violence in the cities of this country". But friends and associates dispute the claim that he was fomenting unrest.
Tracy, a graduate of Georgetown University, reportedly arrived in...
- 4/26/2013
- by Virginia Lopez
- The Guardian - Film News
Legendary Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran is getting a professional biopic treatment. Deadline reports that the film will star Golden Globe Nominee Édgar Ramírez (for Carlos) as Duran and Robert De Niro as his trainer Ray Arcel. The film will be directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz (Sequestro Express).
Gael García Bernal (Amores Perros, The Science of Sleep) was circulating the role of Duran and even visited Panama last year but in the end, director Jakubowicz decided to go with a different actor due to García Bernal’s time constraints.
I’m really bummed that García Bernal didn’t land this role. He’s a great actor who would have surely given this role great care. With his departure I sincerely hope that Ramírez brings everything that he’s got and more for this important role, which is representative of the tiny Central American country of Panama.
Ramírez was most recently seen in...
Gael García Bernal (Amores Perros, The Science of Sleep) was circulating the role of Duran and even visited Panama last year but in the end, director Jakubowicz decided to go with a different actor due to García Bernal’s time constraints.
I’m really bummed that García Bernal didn’t land this role. He’s a great actor who would have surely given this role great care. With his departure I sincerely hope that Ramírez brings everything that he’s got and more for this important role, which is representative of the tiny Central American country of Panama.
Ramírez was most recently seen in...
- 4/9/2013
- by Alex Corey
- LRMonline.com
It's January; we know this because the temperature sometimes dips below balmy, but also because great new movies are rarer than a Panhandle Democrat. The esteemed Rust and Bone is required viewing this week*, but skip the other new releases unless you can't resist imported horror, middling crime drama or California's less-than-esteemed former governor.
Fortunately, Austin's ever-bustling film culture offers plenty of alternatives for those seeking escape from our frigid 50-degree winter weather. Austin Film Society's Essential Cinema series continues with the Chinese drama Empire of Silver. Set in 1899 during the waning days of Imperial China, the film focuses on a wealthy banking family trying to survive political upheavals brought on by the Boxer Rebellion and revolutionary outbreaks. Empire of Silver screens on Tuesday at the Alamo Village. (Due to the closure of Alamo South Lamar, Afs screenings are now at Alamo Village. The theater seats only 118 so buy your tickets for all screenings Asap.
Fortunately, Austin's ever-bustling film culture offers plenty of alternatives for those seeking escape from our frigid 50-degree winter weather. Austin Film Society's Essential Cinema series continues with the Chinese drama Empire of Silver. Set in 1899 during the waning days of Imperial China, the film focuses on a wealthy banking family trying to survive political upheavals brought on by the Boxer Rebellion and revolutionary outbreaks. Empire of Silver screens on Tuesday at the Alamo Village. (Due to the closure of Alamo South Lamar, Afs screenings are now at Alamo Village. The theater seats only 118 so buy your tickets for all screenings Asap.
- 1/18/2013
- by Don Clinchy
- Slackerwood
Maybe what Venezuela needs right now in this time of crisis is Juanes.
The Colombian singer and Grammy Award-winning singer Miguel Bosé visited Caracas this week to sound out the possibility of doing the third “Peace Without Borders” concert, Spanish news wire Efe reports.
While in Venezuela, Juanes and Bosé met with the director of the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras, and attended the recording of part of the soundtrack for “Libertador,” a big-budget local film directed by Alberto Arvelo about the exploits of the country's beloved independence hero Simón Bolívar.
Juanes and Bosé aim to bring together 15 musical acts representative of Latin America and Europe, along with the Simón Bolívar Symphonic Orchestra.
The singers teamed up to organize the first “Peace Without Borders” concert in 2008 along the border between Venezuela and Colombia, with the goal of calming tensions sparked by a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
The Colombian singer and Grammy Award-winning singer Miguel Bosé visited Caracas this week to sound out the possibility of doing the third “Peace Without Borders” concert, Spanish news wire Efe reports.
While in Venezuela, Juanes and Bosé met with the director of the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras, and attended the recording of part of the soundtrack for “Libertador,” a big-budget local film directed by Alberto Arvelo about the exploits of the country's beloved independence hero Simón Bolívar.
Juanes and Bosé aim to bring together 15 musical acts representative of Latin America and Europe, along with the Simón Bolívar Symphonic Orchestra.
The singers teamed up to organize the first “Peace Without Borders” concert in 2008 along the border between Venezuela and Colombia, with the goal of calming tensions sparked by a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
- 1/10/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
This is an extended trailer for Taita Boves, a film by Luis Alberto Lamata. Again Lamata delves into the Venezuelan colonial history to tell the tale of Boves and his legacy. And by doing so he deals with ghosts of that era that still remains in the collective unconscious on one nation.Taita Boves chronicles a thirst for revenge that devastated a country. It tells the true story of Jose Tomás Boves, a cruel man who became a legend during the Venezuelan War of Independence, the most violent in the Americas. He went from seafarer to pirate, horse smuggler to prosperous merchant, prisoner to military chief. Spanish by birth, he spearheaded a grass roots troop of slaves, mulattoes, Indians and mestizos that crushed Simón Bolívar and his...
- 10/1/2012
- Screen Anarchy
The first still from director Alberto Arvelo's Libertador is now online and you can check it out below. Scripted by Timothy Sexton and starring Edgar Ramírez, María Valverde, Danny Huston, Imanol Arias and Gary Lewis, the film tells the life of Simón Bolívar (1783 . 1830). Bolívar was instrumental in Latin America's struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians and emancipators in American history. Libertador is told from the viewpoint of Bolívar, portrayed by Ramírez, about his quests and epic military campaigns, which covered twice the territory Alexander the Great conquered, and his vision to unify South America. Click on the image below for a larger version in our gallery:...
- 8/24/2012
- Comingsoon.net
No stranger to biopics, Edgar Ramirez (“Carlos” and “Che”) has signed on to play Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan military and political leader who was instrumental in Latin America’s successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, in “Libertador.”
The film, written by Timothy J. Sexton (“Children Of Men”) and directed by Alberto Arvelo, will focus on the fight for independence from Bolivar’s point of view. Ramirez will be joined by Danny Huston, Gary Lewis, María Valverde and Imanol Arias, though what roles they'll be playing haven't yet be revealed. The filmmakers have also drafted La Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel for what will be his film composing debut, an appropriate choice as Dudamel is also the director of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela.
Bolivar’s story sounds like it could make for a good and proper historical epic, the likes of which we haven’t seen in a few years,...
The film, written by Timothy J. Sexton (“Children Of Men”) and directed by Alberto Arvelo, will focus on the fight for independence from Bolivar’s point of view. Ramirez will be joined by Danny Huston, Gary Lewis, María Valverde and Imanol Arias, though what roles they'll be playing haven't yet be revealed. The filmmakers have also drafted La Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel for what will be his film composing debut, an appropriate choice as Dudamel is also the director of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela.
Bolivar’s story sounds like it could make for a good and proper historical epic, the likes of which we haven’t seen in a few years,...
- 6/21/2012
- by Cain Rodriguez
- The Playlist
• Today in odd movie couple-dom, Jim Parsons and Rihanna will lend their voices to the DreamWorks Animation production Happy Smekday!, an adaptation of Adam Rex’s acclaimed children’s book The True Meaning of Smekday. The premise: Earth’s been invaded by a race of “friendly” aliens called Boov, who have come to our planet to escape their nemeses, the Gorg. After one Boov inadvertently tips off the Gorg that they’re on Earth, he ends up traveling across America with a teenage human girl. As one does. [THR]
• Since we’re discussing DreamWorks Animation projects, Jason Schwartzman has been offered...
• Since we’re discussing DreamWorks Animation projects, Jason Schwartzman has been offered...
- 6/21/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Having been appropriately stunned by his 330-minute work in Carlos, it was disappoiting to see Édgar Ramírez jump on board sludge like Wrath of the Titans — how you go from Olivier Assayas to Jonathan Liebesman… that’s a drop — but onward and upward will he move from the bowels of Hades. Next, Variety reports that he’ll be starring in Libertador, a Simón Bolívar biopic already being labeled “[o]ne of Latin America’s most ambitious productions” and “the South American Braveheart.”
Director Alberto Arvelo Mendoza is behind the currently-shooting picture, with the script supplied by Timothy J. Sexton (Children of Men). Though bereft of any solid description in the above article, Libertador bound to cover Bolívar’s early 19th-century campaign to free much of South America from the Spanish Empire’s clutches; helping to instill strong political systems throughout these nations is worth documenting, too. All that historical relevancy and impact notwithstanding,...
Director Alberto Arvelo Mendoza is behind the currently-shooting picture, with the script supplied by Timothy J. Sexton (Children of Men). Though bereft of any solid description in the above article, Libertador bound to cover Bolívar’s early 19th-century campaign to free much of South America from the Spanish Empire’s clutches; helping to instill strong political systems throughout these nations is worth documenting, too. All that historical relevancy and impact notwithstanding,...
- 6/20/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Golden Globe and Emmy nominated Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramírez ( Carlos , Zero Dark Thirty ), Spanish actress María Valverde ( Melissa P. ), Danny Huston ( Magic City , X-Men Origins: Wolverine ), Imanol Arias ( El Lute ) and Gary Lewis ( Billy Elliot , Gangs of New York ) will topline Libertador , a modern epic about the life of Simón Bolívar (1783 . 1830). Bolívar was instrumental in Latin America.s struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians and emancipators in American history. Libertador is told from the viewpoint of Bolívar, portrayed by Ramírez, about his quests and epic military campaigns, which covered twice the territory Alexander the Great conquered, and his vision to unify South America....
- 6/20/2012
- Comingsoon.net
While 2011 was all about cuts, the arts community puts its best foot forward in 2012 as the Olympics come to London
The arrival of the Olympics in London will mean that British culture is on show like never before. Commentators will be poring over what these headline events say about us as nation, whether they were planned to tie in with the Games or not.
The Olympics opening ceremony
Directed by Danny Boyle, in November this extravaganza had its budget doubled to more than £80m – either an encouraging sign or an extremely bad one. It was thought impossible to top Beijing's opening ceremony, but the ballooning costs have raised the stakes vertiginously. Could either be a triumph, or that most British of things – a glorious disaster.
Indie's past comes back to haunt it
It's a landmark year for three indie institutions. In April, NME is 60. Three months later, the music weekly...
The arrival of the Olympics in London will mean that British culture is on show like never before. Commentators will be poring over what these headline events say about us as nation, whether they were planned to tie in with the Games or not.
The Olympics opening ceremony
Directed by Danny Boyle, in November this extravaganza had its budget doubled to more than £80m – either an encouraging sign or an extremely bad one. It was thought impossible to top Beijing's opening ceremony, but the ballooning costs have raised the stakes vertiginously. Could either be a triumph, or that most British of things – a glorious disaster.
Indie's past comes back to haunt it
It's a landmark year for three indie institutions. In April, NME is 60. Three months later, the music weekly...
- 1/2/2012
- by Alex Needham
- The Guardian - Film News
Producer of Pier Paolo Pasolini's early films
Though an enterprising film producer, often ahead of his times, Alfredo Bini, who has died aged 83, is best remembered for having given the poet Pier Paolo Pasolini the chance to make his debut as a film-maker with Accattone (1960), when no other film company was prepared to back it. Bini produced more than 40 films, including all the features made by Pasolini up until 1967, including Il Vangelo Secondo Matteo (The Gospel According to St Matthew, 1964). Among his other films were many starring his wife, Rosanna Schiaffino.
Bini was born in Livorno, Tuscany, and, during the second world war, ran away from home to join the army. He was wounded and got a medal, but went back to finish his studies in biology. He soon gave up the idea of a scientific career and in 1945 moved to Rome, where, after taking on various jobs, he managed a theatre group.
Though an enterprising film producer, often ahead of his times, Alfredo Bini, who has died aged 83, is best remembered for having given the poet Pier Paolo Pasolini the chance to make his debut as a film-maker with Accattone (1960), when no other film company was prepared to back it. Bini produced more than 40 films, including all the features made by Pasolini up until 1967, including Il Vangelo Secondo Matteo (The Gospel According to St Matthew, 1964). Among his other films were many starring his wife, Rosanna Schiaffino.
Bini was born in Livorno, Tuscany, and, during the second world war, ran away from home to join the army. He was wounded and got a medal, but went back to finish his studies in biology. He soon gave up the idea of a scientific career and in 1945 moved to Rome, where, after taking on various jobs, he managed a theatre group.
- 11/2/2010
- by John Francis Lane
- The Guardian - Film News
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