Cine Latino & Hispanic Cinema

Films from Mexico, Spain, Central and South America are part of next month’s “Cine Latino” film series at the Phoenix Art Museum, sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the museum’s Latin American Art Alliance. Here’s the line-up…

Shorts (Sept. 1). Short films from Mexico, Spain and Latin America that range from animation to live action and fiction to documentary.

La Miranda Invisible (Sept. 2). The tale of a teacher’s obsession with one of her students amidst totalitarianism and rebellion in 1980s Argentina.

Reportero (Sept. 5). The account of challenges facing the free press during Mexico’s war on drugs and violent crime. (Free admission.)

Chico & Rita (Sept. 6). The tale of two music-lovers whose dreams spur travels from Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas.

Juan of the Dead (Sept. 7). The tale of a slacker turned entrepreneur as zombies invade Cuba.

Papirosen (Sept. 9). The account of four generations of the director’s family, featuring his father Victor, a grandmother who suvived the Holocaust and others.

Found Memories (Sept. 16). The story of a village transformed by the friendship between a grieving widow and a young photographer.

Las Acacias (Sept. 30). The tale of a trucker’s life changed by quiet conversations inside the confines of his cab.

Most films in the “Cine Latino” series are $10 for general admission and $7 for museum members and students. Some are in Spanish with English subtitles, and several feature mature content. Click here to learn more and see film trailers, and for details about additional film offerings at the Phoenix Art Museum.

This season’s film festival at Paradise Valley Community College features a “Hispanic Cinema” theme — with titles from Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Chile and Argentina. All films are free, and the line-up includes a new film called “And Paint the Sky.” Director Alan Tongret once taught at PVCC and will be on hand for the Feb. 20 screening and a post-film Q & A.

“And Paint the Sky” imagines a young teacher and painter who creates a “series of impressionistic canvases suggested by family photo albums” hoping to lift the depression that gripped her grandmother after her husband died.

Other titles in the series, many centered on the experiences of youth, are:

Sin Nombre (Sept. 5). The tale of a Honduran teen who befriends a Mexican gang member while trying to realize her own dreams in the U.S.

The Devil’s Backbone (Sept. 19). The story of a 10-year-old orphan sent to an orphanage after his father’s death in the Spanish Civil War in 1939.

Pan’s Labyrinth (Oct. 3). The story of a young girl who accompanies her pregnant mother as she travels to live with a new soldier husband amidst a repressive regime.

Valentin (Oct. 17). The tale of an 8-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a NASA astronaut after he’s left behind by a mother fleeing her abusive husband.

Viva Cuba (Jan. 30). The story of two children whose deep friendship is threatened by their mothers’ socioeconomic differences and mutual suspicions.

Talk to Her (Feb. 13). The tale of four lives that intertwine while two men care for women, one a ballet dancer and the other a bullfighter, who are in a coma.

Machuna (Feb. 27). The tale of two friends at an exclusive private school whose friendship is tested by society’s assumptions about their differing socio-economic backgrounds.

Lovers of the Arctic Circle (March 20). The story of two people whose worlds intertwine in different ways during their childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Click here to learn more about the Paradise Valley Community College International Film Festival.

— Lynn

Coming up: India adventures, Teacher’s night out

Bust a rhyme

Detail of artwork by Emily Costello exhibited at the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center during Jan. 2011.

Folks who hit First Friday in Phoenix tonight can “bust a rhyme” with Phonetic Spit, which is “using the arts of hip hop and poetry in an effort to combat illiteracy, cultural alienation and silence.” They’ll be performing at the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center July 6 at 6:30pm — followed by a 7pm performance by New Carpa Theater Company that features a sampling of short plays from its “Performing Justice” festival. Think works with human rights and social justice themes. Also an 8pm musical performance by Cesar Chavez Duran, plus performance by Mariachi Rubor.

ALAC will also be celebrating the July 6, 1907 birthday of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo de Rivera with desserts by Titina’s Catering and live painting by Carlos Rivas and other local artists. Also original artwork inspired by Frida Kahlo, courtesy of Petra Fimbres, and eyebrow painting by Monica Crespo-Gisel. Plus Frida Kahlo and Deigo Rivera look-alike contests. The evening also includes the unveiling of a mural created by ALAC artist and resident curator Jose Andres Giron to commemorate the Arizona Centennial.

While you’re there, check out an exhibit of works by Norma Garcia Torres titled “Feminine Divine: An Artist’s Perspective” and the “One Woman Show” exhibit by Alondra Yasmin. Also the “2nd Annual Latina Art Exhibit and Festival” with a “Madres/Madonnas/Mujeres” theme. First Friday is your last chance to enjoy ALAC offerings until Wed, July 25 because they’re closing for part of July to tackle inventory. Normal summer hours resume once they reopen — Wed. through Fri. from noon to 6pm and Sat. from 11am to 6pm.

The Latino Arts & Cultural Center is “a consortium of local Latino arts groups and artists dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Latino art and culture.” Their mission includes illuminating, celebrating and promoting Latinos in Arizona through “education, advocacy and collaboration.” The center includes several galleries, a performance space and gift shop. Learn more at www.alasaz.org.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn more about Phoenix First Fridays, and here to learn more about artist Emily Costello (thanks to fans and friends of Emily for sharing her name so I could give her proper credit).

Coming up: Fun with fabric art, Playwright profiles, Tears of Esperanza

Shopping takes center stage

Mosaic art by Evelyn Gholson from the TCA gift shop

In a drive-through, mail order world, it’s nice sometimes to take a detour back to the days of lovely customer service and goods with close-to-home origins. My latest pair of earrings came from the gift shop at Tempe Center for the Arts, where amazing volunteers speak with genuine enthusiasm of the local artists whose works they sell and support.

After attending a recent Arizoni Awards ceremony at TCA, where bright fushia, teal and crimson feathers took center stage for a musical number from “Seussical, Jr.,” I was thrilled to find more subdued art ala feathers among the gift shop’s selection of hair bobbles — something I notice more than most now that my locks are getting rather long.

Whimsical fare from the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts museum store

The week before, I’d visited the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts gift shop with my son Christopher, who was searching for fun care package items to send to sister Lizabeth in New York City. I wish I had known about their retro-vibe totes back when Lizabeth still spent most of her time hauling around pointe shoes and other ballet paraphernalia.

Diverse offerings from the Arizona Latino Arts and Culture Center gift shop

I left with all sorts of buttons featuring fun images and sayings, something I’m also a sucker for at the Phoenix Art Museum. Never mind that they have artsy kitchen utensils, kids’ crafts, accessories and such. I’m a sucker for a bin full of buttons — and the classier black flower crafted of zippers that I always pine for when I’m there.

Jewelry, baskets and more from the Heard Museum shop in Phoenix

I hit the Heard Museum gift shops in Phoenix and Scottsdale while on the prowl last year for unique holiday ornaments. Their “when pigs fly” folk art offerings were a big hit at last year’s holiday shindig with my magazine family. I also picked up a tiny silver charm that helped ease Jennifer’s nerves one day as a particularly tough test was looming at ASU.

Musical instruments, books and more from the MIM museum shop

I rarely leave the gift shop at the Musical Instrument Museum empty handed since I’m ever so fond of their world music offerings. They’ve got fun instruments like thumb pianos, a diverse selection of books for kids and adults, and sterling silver jewely that makes my heart skip a beat.

Jewelry from MADE art boutique located along Roosevelt Row in Phoenix

We’ve also enjoyed our time at gift shops for the Phoenix Zoo, the Rio Salado Audubon Society, the Desert Botanical Garden and other places where art meets nature. Plus smaller venues offering funkier fare — like the art galleries and shops along Roosevelt Row in Phoenix. Also library gift shops run by lovely volunteers and “Local First AZ” businesses with an arts twist.

Kitchen utensils and tools from the Phoenix Art Museum gift shop

As you’re shopping in coming months for special gifts for family, friends and teachers, remember the museums, performing arts venues and other places with gift shops that make it fun, easy and affordable to couple shopping with supporting Arizona arts and culture.

— Lynn

Note: Find Tempe Center for the Arts at www.tempe.gov/tca, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at www.scottsdaleperformingarts.com, the Phoenix Art Museum at www.phxart.org, the Heard Museum at www.heard.org and the Musical Instrument Museum at www.themim.org. Find Roosevelt Row at www.rooseveltrow.org and Local First AZ at www.localfirstaz.com.

Coming up: Dance meets father/daughter time, Performing arts meets pajamas

Film finds

!Women Art Revolution is one of several current offerings at FilmBar in Phoenix

You can find much more than film fare at plenty of movie theaters these days. Even Shakespeare in Cinema works that seem to transport you straight to the Globe Theatre in London.

And film offerings seem to be finding their way to lots of places other than traditional cinemas. Think bookstores, museums, performing arts venues and more. Even stores like Hoodlums Music and Movies and Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, which presents “In Transition” during their next community movie night, scheduled for Fri, Aug 26.

When you have a hankering for films or movie venues that are just a bit out of the ordinary, consider making an afternoon or evening of it with one of these Valley options…

Finding film at a joint called FilmBar Phoenix is hardly a shocker, but their offerings are certainly out of the ordinary. In August alone featured works deal with martial arts, the culture of war, feminist art and changes wrought on nature by increasing industrialization.

The 2011-12 Talk Cinema series at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts opens in October. You can enjoy the surprise of not knowing what to expect or check the center’s website the day before each screening to explore the month’s offering. Each “Talk Cinema” screening is introduced and followed by “moderated conversations hosted by distinguished guest speakers.”

Performing arts venues like Tempe Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center sometimes present special movie screenings, so film buffs should watch the calendars of these venues to see what pops up throughout the season.

Several community colleges offer film series or festivals with diverse themes. Scottsdale Community College has partnered for many years with the Anti-Defamation League to present a film series with an anti-hate theme.

Paradise Valley Community College is focusing on “women in film” this season. The first film of the season is “Amelie” — a French film they’ll present on Wed, Sept 7. Other fall films in the series hail from Spain, China and the U.S. Offerings next year include films from Germany, Lebanon, India and Columbia.

Several Valley museums, including the Heard Museum in Phoenix and the Phoenix Art Museum, present intriguing film works — including some it’s hard to find anywhere else.

Several films being shown this month and next at the Phoenix Art Museum are Spanish-language films with English subtitles — including works about circus life, women matadors, immigration and more. My favorite is a one-hour film called “Biblioburro” about a one-of-a-kind library and librarian in a violence-ridden region of Colombia.

Cultural Centers like the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix sometimes offer screenings of independent works, as do other cultural resources like libraries.

The Arizona Humanities Council website offers event listings by region so its always easy to find film and other offerings in your area. Film screenings and discussions of “Johnny Guitar” take place later this month in Florence and Glendale — and they’ve got several “Borderlands” films listed for the coming months.

Films don’t need to include talking animals or non-stop explosions to be fun. You’ll even learn to love them without salty popcorn or sugary drinks. Leave the kids behind once and a while to expore a world where films foster adult conversations on fascinating topics other than organic baby food and homework wars.

— Lynn

Coming up: Film festivals in the Valley — and beyond, Lynn & Liz review “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie”

Finding Frida

The “Modern Mexican Painting” exhibit at Phoenix Art Museum features 80 paintings, 45 artists and 7 themes — including urban artists, surrealism and more. The works were created between 1910 and 1950 by artists that include Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo and Jose Clemente Orozco.

This Miramax film will be shown Sunday at the Phoenix Art Museum

A work by Frida Kahlo is part of the museum’s permanent collection, and folks interested in Kahlo’s work can attend a free screening of the Miramax film titled “Frida” at 1pm on Sun, July 10 (space is limited and the film has an “R” rating). “Frida” is directed by Julie Taymor, best known to some for her work on Broadway. Think “The Lion King,” “The Green Bird,” and “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.” The film has an impressive cast, and you can click here for details about the film’s development.

A local theater company called Teatro Bravo is opening a play titled “Frida Kahlo” on Sept 23 at Playhouse-on-the-Park (located in the Viad Building just across the street from the Phoenix Art Museum).

Teatro Bravo describes the work as a “vivid theatrical experience” that “tells the story of the pain and passion of one of the most original women ever to have lived.”

It explores her “complex relationship with prominent painter Diego Rivera” as well as her “controversial affair with Leon Trotsky” and her “provocative romantic entanglements with women.”

Erica Alexandria Mathlin stars in the Teatro Bravo production of Frida Kahlo

Director Israel Jimenez, who acts with Childsplay in Tempe and teaches at Arizona School for the Arts in Phoenix, says he’s long admired the work of both Teatro Bravo and actor Erica Mathlin, who will play Frida as a teen through the age of 47.

Jimenez describes Mathlin as “incredibly talented” but says “this is not an easy role.” Erica has the task, he says, of portraying one of history’s most “iconic, revolutionary and original women” during “the most high-stakes moments of her life.”

“As an artist,” muses Jimenez, “it is not difficult to relate to Frida’s passion for self-expression.” Jimenez, who was born in Mexico City, says the play has “given me the chance to reconnect with my Mexican culture.” He’s enjoying explorations of Mexican traditions, history and art.

Teatro Bravo presents the play Frida Kahlo for just seven dates this fall

So what has he discovered about Kahlo? “Frida had great mystery to her,” reflects Jimenez. “She was a magician when it came to illusions. The way she dressed, the way she wrote in her diary, and of course her art — she always left you wondering what secrets lay underneath.”

“I am always surprised,” adds Jimenez, “at just how much this woman was able to do in the face of such painful obstacles.” Jimenez notes that much of Kahlo’s work was highly disturbing. “She painted images of herself and others in their broken, bloody and explicity painful form.”

Still, he finds “power and strength” in her work. “Unlike most popular artists of the time,” observes Jimenez, “Frida painted the hidden parts of her consciousness with remarkable visceral imagery.”

Explore this book by Margaret Frith if your family enjoys illustrations by Tomie dePaola

Jimenez says he admires Kahlo’s passion. “Whether it was for politics, for expression, or for love and acceptance,” reflects Jimenez, “she had an undying will for life.” All this despite the fact that “death haunted her from a very young age.”

Time spent with Kahlo’s story has inspired Jimenez to allow his voice to be heard “without hesitation” — even “when the road brings heartbreak and pain.” He shares that as a director he wants to “portray a side of Frida that is much more personal and intimate than what people have seen before.”

Though Jimenez says the production is most appropriate for “mature audiences,” he notes that “Frida is an incredible inspiration for young audiences.” Jimenez says he “wouldn’t hesitate” to bring younger theater-goers, especially those who enjoy theatrical elements like puppetry and mask work, along.

Phoenix Art Museum and Teatro Bravo offer rich opportunities to learn more about Latino arts and culture. And as Jimenez appears to have discovered for himself, time spent “finding Frida” is a lovely exercise in finding oneself.

— Lynn

Note: “Frida Kahlo” was written by Ruben Amavizca-Murua, with English translation by Liane Schirmer and Eve Muller. It’s being presented as part of the CALA Arts Festival with support from the CALA Alliance.

Coming up: Art meets bullying prevention