Latin American Film Festival needs community support

By Julie Cortez, El Hispanic News

 
Portland, OR — María Osterroth Sussman describes the Portland Latin American Film Festival (PDXLAFF) as a way to “travel to see other countries, other realities” for those short on vacation time and cash.

In addition to displaying the depth, complexities, and beauty of Latin American culture, the festival’s founder wants PDXLAFF to be a resource for immigrants “who are really so proud of their roots. Many people can’t travel back to their home countries,” Osterroth Sussman says.

And while a voyage to Latin America by film is definitely cheaper than by plane, there are some hefty behind-the-scenes expenses that rarely occur to moviegoers snuggled into their cushy theater seats.

According to Osterroth Sussman, the festival needs to raise $8,000 by Oct. 18.
“We have sponsors and the sponsors help us a lot,” she says, “… but there’s still a lot of expenses that need to be covered.”

The most fundamental aspect of the festival — sharing Latin America’s contributions to the silver screen — requires big bucks for the shipping of the movies and their screening fees.

 
“That’s why we really need the support of the community in order to keep going,” Osterroth Sussman says.

Returning Oct. 12-18 to the Hollywood Theater, the sixth annual PDXLAFF features eight films that will transport audiences to Cuba, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Spain. The festival opens with the Oct. 12 screening of “Hidalgo: La Historia Jamás Contada,” an intimate examination of Mexican revolutionary leader Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

“In Mexico we learn about Hidalgo as a hero,” Osterroth says, “and in this film we get to learn about him as a human.”

Following the 7 p.m. show, the opening celebration continues with a party at Aztec Willies (1501 NE Broadway).

The festival’s other films include: “Las Malas Intenciones” (Peru), “Pescador” (Ecuador), “Violeta se Fue a los Cielos” (Chile), “Tijuana’s Nortec Sounds” (Mexico), “Fábula” (Cuba), “Chico y Rita” (Spain), and “Corpos Celestes” (Brazil).

Adding to this year’s expenses — and the overall festival experience — is PDXLAFF’s first venture into live music. On Oct. 16, Bostich + Fussible — an electronica duo made up of Ramón Amezcua and Pepe Mogt, two of the co-founders of Mexico’s Nortec Collective — will perform following the screening of the documentary “Tijuana’s Nortec Sounds.”

“They are very successful musicians that tour all over the world,” Osterroth Sussman says, and bringing them here means paying them for their time as well as for their airfare and accommodations.

The festival’s website offers information on how to make a donation (www.pdxlaff.org/donate). Anything over $25 is tax deductible. Osterroth Sussman also welcomes support in the form of volunteers (email info@pdxlaff.org) and by liking PDXLAFF on Facebook — which she says is the best source of up-to-date information on the festival — and encouraging others to do the same.

Este artículo también está disponible en / This post is also available in: Spanish

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