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Film Lover’s Guide to the 2009 Miami Int’l Film Festival
By Denise Castillón

Under the guidance of its’ charming new festival director, Tiziana Finzi, the 26th edition Miami Int’l Film Festival runs March 6th through 15th. Once again, red carpets will unfurl to showcase a line-up of independent arthouse films, particularly from Latin American countries, from where some of the best cinema has been produced for the past several years. The 2009 Miami Int’l Film Festival (MIFF) will screen 137 films, from 43 countries, through traditional programs, such as World and Ibero-American Competition, as well as its new program of artistic audio-visual experimental films, Cutting The Edge.

The festival opens on Friday evening, at the glorious Gusman Center For The Performing Arts, with Matt Tyrnauer’s feature-length documentary, VALENTINO: The Last Emperor. Culminating with a magnificent celebration honoring 45 years of the legendary designers’ contribution to haute couture, the film spotlights the career of the revered fashion icon and temperamental creative genius along with his equally-talented business and life partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. [The nights’ festivities, including the opening night celebration party, will be captured on video and posted on this website.]

Beginning this weekend, MIFF festival-goers will have a variety of films to enjoy at the festival. Here are the top recommendations, followed by reviews: 5 DIAS SIN NORA (Nora’s Will), LA NANA (The Maid), and PARQUE VIA

From MIFF’s Ibero-American Competition Program:

5 DIAS SIN NORA (Nora’s Will)
Mexico
Spanish, with English Subtitles/Running Time: 92 min

Mariana Chenillo makes her directorial debut with the delightful dark comedy, CINCO DIAS SIN NORA. The title character, Nora, has carefully prepared her family’s Passover holiday dinner, before committing suicide. Her ex-husband José grudgingly arranges for her kosher burial, which, according to Jewish law, must be postponed until five days later, after Passover.

The necessity of preserving Nora sets off a series of very comical situations and disputes between atheist José, the hypocritical Rabbi Jacowitz, and the devoutly Catholic servant, Fabiana, all of which are mediated by their only son, Rubén. During the preparations, José discovers an incriminating old photograph that reveals Nora was keeping a secret. José’s relentless pursuit into their shared past to uncover the truth evidently melts away his hatred for Nora to reveal his undying love.

The ensemble cast, led by Fernando Luján, includes Juan Carlos Colombo, Max Kerlow, Enrique Arreola, Angelina Peláez, Ari Brickman, Cecilia Suárez and Verónica Langer.

Written and directed by Mariana Chenillo. Cinematography Alberto Anaya. Edited by Mariana Chenillo. Produced by Laura Imperiale.

Screens at Regal South Beach Cinema 18:
Saturday, March 7th, 7pm
Wednesday, March 11th, 7:30pm
Sunday, March 15th, 7pm


LA NANA (The Maid)
Chile/Mexico
Spanish, with English Subtitles/Running Time: 95 min

Writer-director Sebastián Silva’s “The Maid” is an amusing character study of a well-to-do family’s long-time live-in maid, Raquel (CATALINA SAAVEDRA). Sullen and rigid, Raquel’s obsession with her duty to maintain the household for her employers, Mundo Valdes (ALEJANDRO GOIC), and his wife Pilar (CLAUDIA CELEDON) masks her underlying loneliness. What Raquel truly desires to be regarded as a valued member of the family.

When, Raquel begins to have fainting spells from overworking, Pilar decides to hire a second maid to help out. Instead, Raquel feels threatened to the point of harassing each new hire until they quit. Although her behavior becomes quite antagonistic, these antics also provide the films’ comedy.

Then, Lucy (MARIANA LOYOLA) arrives as the latest maid to offer her support to the family. Soon, Lucy’s confidence and energy affects the whole household. But, when Lucy is attacked by Raquel’s temper, she reacts very differently, -with compassion. For the time, Raquel develops a true and caring relationship through her friendship with Lucy.

Starring Catalina Saavedra as “The Maid”, Claudia Celedon, Mariana Loyola, Alejandro Goic, Anita Reeves, Delfina Guzman, Andrea Garcia-Huidobro, Mercedes Villanueva, Agustin Silva.

Directed by Sebastian Silva. Screenplay by Sebastian Silva and Pedro Peirano. Cinematography by Sergio Armstrong. Edited by Danielle Fillios. Produced by Gregorio Gonzalez.

"The Maid" won at the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema-Dramatic, plus actress Catalina Saavedra received an Special Jury Prize for Acting at this years’ Sundance Film Festival.

Screens at the Tower Theater:
Saturday, March 7th, 9:30pm
And at the Regal South Beach Cinema 18:
Monday, March 9th, 9:45pm
Thursday, March 12th, 7:15pm.


From MIFF’s World Competition Program:

Enrique Riveros’ drama "Parque Via", like “The Maid”, is a character study of a lonely servant. However, the tone and style is completely different and unusual. The extremely slow pace of "Parque Via" may be difficult to bear, but it sets up very well its shocking climatic conclusion.

Beto (NOLBERTO CORIA) is the elderly caretaker of an extravagant house that is up for sale by its refined owner. Because of the extended length of time the residence has been on the real estate market, Beto, through his repetitive daily rituals of maintaining the home and watching the TV news, has surrendered to an isolated and almost wordless existence. His only company, beyond visits by his employer or her real estate agent, is Lupe (NANCY OROZCO), a hooker who makes house calls.

After ten years, Beto has become so resigned to living cloistered indoors that he now experiences panic attacks whenever he does venture out into the real world. Then, his worst fear is realized, the house, his home, has been sold. The dilemma of where can Beto go from here is addressed quite radically.

Stars Nolberto Coria as “Beto”, supported by actresses Nancy Orozco and Tesalia Huerta. Written and directed by Enrique Rivero. Cinematography by Arnau Valls Colomer. Edited by Javier Ruiz Caldera and Enrique Rivero. Produced by Paola Herrera and Enrique Rivero.

Enrique Riveros’ feature directorial debut, PARQUE VÍA, won the Golden Leopard and FIPRESCI Award at Locarno International Film Festival 2008, and the Best Latin American Film and Audience Awards at the Ficco Festival in Mexico.

Screens at Regal South Beach Cinema 18:
Saturday, March 7th, 4pm
Monday, March 9th, 7pm
And at the Tower Theater:
Sunday, March 15th, 9:30pm

***Confirm film dates and times at: www.miamifilmfestival.com" www.miamifilmfestival.com