The Cinequest Film Festival (CQFF) kicks off in San Jose next Tuesday, beginning a dynamic 13-day event of 200 international films with over 600+ film artists, technologists, and professionals from 44 countries in attendance. Highlights include: Maverick Spirit Awards given to film and literature icons Harrison Ford, Salman Rushdie, and Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk, as well as and 86 World and U.S. Premieres featuring stars such as Elle Fanning (Super 8), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Jamie Chung (Once Upon A Time) and Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show). Dedicated to the discovery of new and emerging film artists, CQFF will also feature a strong lineup of Latino cinema. A few of our picks below.
Cubamerican
Jose Enrique Pardo
Language: English/Spanish
This film tells the stirring stories of those who fled Cuba during the Revolution and how they became one of the most impactful groups of the last half century. Featuring Andy Garcia, this stunning film weaves stories that exemplify sacrifice and the strength of the human spirit. A testament to immigrants of all nationalities, director Jose Enrique Pardo artistically illustrates how hard work, sacrifice and a determination to succeed are traits which cannot be denied.
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Habanastation
Ian Padron
Language: Spanish (English subtitles)
Set against the backdrop of socialist labor marches, the film Habanastation tells of two Cuban boys from wildly different upbringings – 12-year-old Mayito, who has everything at his fingertips, and his classmate Carlos, who comes from a low-class residential district where he cleans and sells empty beer bottles just so he can save enough money to buy the kite of his dreams. When Mayito steps into the impoverished community for the first time, he discovers a strange new world. Carlos’ humble lifestyle both shatters Mayito’s notion of “normal” and entices him to experience it himself. Set against the backdrop of socialist labor marches, Habanastation inspires people from all social strata to put aside their differences and come together as one.
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Made in China
Gabriel Guzman
Language: Spanish (English subtitles)
For his 50th birthday, Marcos receives an invitation to the wedding of the only woman he loved…30 years ago. To add to this, the Chinese Mafia is after his restaurant, and Marcos’ dream of becoming a writer seems very unattainable. So, wouldn’t the wedding be the perfect time to get away from it? One would think so. But when joined on the road trip by Fernando, an irresponsible delivery guy, the cross-country adventure becomes a bit more problematic than Marcos needs, and he can only hope he will make it to the wedding on time.
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Check out the full Cinequest lineup here and check out their Facebook page.