Under a bridge? On a rooftop? In a backyard? Wherever you like to do it, this Summer will give you plenty of chances. Now get your mind out of the gutter and check out NYC’s jam-packed Outdoor Film Schedule. This is for all you film/cuddle/picnic lovers, and cheap dates. I already have a few lined-up and trust me, when you take someone to Brooklyn Bridge Park at dusk and watch the sunset on a checkered blanket with a Modelo in hand– notice the sweat on their brow? You won’t know whether to blame the heat or your charm. So, we’ve put together a master-list of Latino films to take your potential honeys. But even with this years first Colombian Film Festival, the NY Latino Film Festival and the fact that we’re EVERYWHERE, the city is lacking in peliculas de mi gente. None-the-less, take your gringo to one of these and don’t let them read the subtitles (wink-wink).
6/23 @ Habana Outpost
White Men Can’t Jump
Director: Ron Shelton
Country: USA
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A classic NYC summer film, White Men Can’t Jump has Rosie Perez representing for us Latinos. Street-ball hustlers, early 90’s New York style, and lots of money scheming.
7/13 @ Crotona Park
From Mambo to Hip-Hop: A South Bronx Tale
Director: Henry Chalfant
Country: USA
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This documentary follows The Ghetto Brothers and the massive impact they had on their South Bronx neighborhood. Using hip hop, salsa, mambo and more, they used the power of music and expression to uplift their community during the dark times of NYC in the 80’s.
7/17 @ Socrates Sculpture Park
Alamar
Director: Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio
Country: Mexico
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Winner of various awards through the International Film Festival circuit, Alamar tells the story of a father and son spending their final days at sea before the boy moves to Madrid with his mother. Simple, beautifully shot, and emotionally charged, I’d recommend bringing some tissues. And if you prefer to do the sniffling in the privacy of your own home, check out our Theater Near You post on the film here.
8/7 @ Socrates Sculpture Park
Sugar
Director: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck
Country: USA
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Hoping the minor leagues will be his ticket of out poverty, Sugar is the name of a Dominican beisbol player recruited for a Spring training season in Kansas City. Expect bachata, an interracial love story, and plenty of rooting for the underdog.
8/8 @ Tompkins Square Park
Chico & Rita
Director: Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
Country: Spain
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Chico is a gifted songwriter and Rita, a beautiful singer. Both use their passion for music and each other to traverse Havana, Hollywood, Paris and NYC. With music by legendary Cuban pianist and composer, Bebo Valdés, Chico & Rita‘s love story is one of hope, beauty and torment.
8/26 @ East River Park
Wild Style
Director: Charlie Ahearan
Country: USA
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This docudrama follows the story of legendary graffiti artist Lee Quiñones in NYC during the 1980’s. A classic flick for any hip-hop culture enthusiast, Wild Style captures the early stages of MCing, B-boying, spray-can art with appearances by Grandmaster Flash, Fab Five Freddy and Rock Steady Crew.