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For more information on these or any of our other films, contact Carmina Samayoa at Ondamax Films. Tel:
305-535-3577 or by Email: carmina@ondamaxfilms.com

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Carmina Samayoa FOR INMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: 305-535-3577
carmina@ondamaxfilms.com

TWO GREAT LATIN FILMS IN COMPETITION!
World Premier of our newest title.



Ondamax Films is pleased to announce that two of our films are in competition at the
2009 Miami International Film Festival taking place from the 6th – 16th of March.
Including the WORLD PREMIERE of our newest title PERFIDY. Both movies have an
exceptional Latin American cast comprised of both consecrated and amateur actors that
give life to the complexities of the movie’s characters and plots.

Perfidy, the new film of third time director Rodrigo Bellot from Bolivia was filmed in
upstate New York. Chilean actor, Gonzalo Valenzuela plays a mysterious young man that
checks into a hotel room where he waits impatiently for a call that comes at 4am. With an
insightful look at the psyche of the character and a riveting twist this is a movie you
should not miss.

From Guatemalan director Julio Hernandez Cordon, comes Gasolina. The story of three
teenagers that steal gasoline to drive around aimlessly and find themselves in the process.
A high-octane ride in which each stop is a crash with reality and where their friendship is
tested in the mist of betrayal and a kamikaze-like solidarity.

Perfidy’s World Premier to be held at Regal Cinema 10 on Wednesday 11th at 9:15 PM,
followed by two other screenings on Thursday 12th at 6:00 PM at the Cosford Theater at
the University of Miami and back on Regal Cinema 18 on Sunday 15th at 9:00PM.

Gasolina showcases on Sunday 8th at 9:45PM on Regal South Beach 9,
Tuesday, 10th at 9:30PM at the Tower Theater 1 and back to Regal Cinema 18th on
Sunday 15th at 3:45 PM.

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

TOP MOVIE PICKS FOR 2008
By John Delia

In choosing my top 10 films of 2008 I took the following into consideration; most of the Best Film nominations for the Oscars come from movies that are drama related. I am not a huge fan for the way the Academy of Arts and Sciences chooses their best films, best actors, etc., in fact with some 300 plus films a year, I don’t know how the voters see them all. So I am choosing 10 films of a dramatic nature and 10 that are action adventure or comedy related. I put animated film in a separate selection and name my top 5.
My number ten choice in the category of drama related films is Hounddog starring Dakota Fanning as a young girl who finds herself confronted by a rapist when she is lured to a woodshed by boys who have promised her tickets to see Elvis Presley. The dark film had me cringing with trepidation of a dastardly outcome. Why 10? Because the film was pulled from theatres in September before many could see the amazing acting performance by Fanning and the rest of her cast. Number 9. Coming in at number 8 is Seven Pounds which provides a platform for a remarkable performance by Will Smith as a man who has to face up to a tragedy he could have prevented. At number 7 I chose Frozen River for the content and acting. The taught drama follows the plight of a down and out single mother who turns smuggler to get the money to buy a doublewide for her kids.
I decided on Defiance for my 6th choice. The high-energy drama takes place in Russia during WWII where a Jewish man and his brothers join with a resistance group to save Jews being sought out by local police for money. At number 5 Mickey Rourke returns to the screen as a wrestler trying a comeback. The Wrestler has a gutsy Rocky type storyline with amazing performances by Rourke and Marisa Tomei. My 4th pick is Slumdog Millionaire, an uplifting film with a memorable rags to riches tale. In 3rd finds The Reader with an amazing performance by Kate Winslet as a woman tormented by her past. Coming in 2nd is a compelling film starring Angelina Jolie called Changeling. The film features a great storyline, stellar acting and fine directing by Clint Eastwood.
My top pick for 2008 is probably no surprise to those who have seen it; it’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with an amazing cast that gives outstanding performances throughout the nearly three-hour film. The storyline is so bizarre that it kept me enthralled to its very touching ending. Brad Pitt gives his best performance ever as the old man who grows young with age. In support Cate Blanchette, Tilda Swinton, Taraji P. Henson and Elle Fanning make their roles unforgettable and plot wise perfect. Direction by David Fincher is flawless with a smooth progression of time making the characters plausible and fascinating.
Not to let down any segment of my readers, here are my top 10 picks for Action Adventure and Comedy. 1 The Dark Knight, 2 Iron Man, 3 Tropic Thunder, 4 Eagle Eye, 5 Traitor, 6 Hancock, 7 Quantum of Solace, 8 Burn After Reading, 9 Mongol and 10 Pineapple Express. For best in animation for 2008 I chose 1 Wall-E, which visualizes our planet as a dump. The extremely well made CGI animated film gives a what-if message that can hardly be ignored, 2 Bolt (especially the 3D version), 3 Kung Fu Panda (the IMAX version) 4 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and 5 Horton Hears a Who.

FINAL ALALYSIS: 2008 was a pretty good year with studios providing at least 50 blue chip films from the 300 plus that were released.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Mahesh Manjrekar, Madhur Mittal, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Kahn

Directed by: Danny Boyle

Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language

By John Delia

Probably the most unnoticed film of 2008, in my opinion Slumdog Millionaire happens to be one of the years best. Although there is no storyline resemblance to Juno or Little Miss Sunshine, the film fits in their category of an independent film that’s different and full of heart. I liked this drama because it was entertaining throughout and kept me on the edge of my seat up to the time the credits rolled.
Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik (Patel), an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees (about $400,000 US) on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”
But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika (Pinto), the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions. But one question remains a mystery: what is this young man with no apparent desire for riches really doing on the game show?
Under the keen direction of Boyle (Millions, 28 Days Later) the entire cast gives brilliant performances. I was completely captivated by the three main leads at all ages depicted on the screen. The game show Jamal at 18 takes on most of the dialogue in the film, but performances by Pinto as the older Latika and, Manjrekar as his brother Javed make the storyline work for the screen. Patel and Pinto are acting for the first time in this movie, but you would not believe it. Their strong screen presence and ability to deliver their character consistently within the storyline is a treat.
But the winner in acting here is Khedekar as the youngest Jamal. His innocent smile and lovable personality captivate the screen. Facing the danger of a wild escape from his would be captors the wild-eyed Khedekar gives an unforgettable emotional performance that had me glued to the screen.
The film brought some excellent films about children to mind including; City of God, City of Men, Millions and Kite Runner. If you are into films that inspire, are thought provoking and ultimately uplifting, then you will love, as I did, Slumdog Millinaire, my choice for best foreign film.
The film is rated R for violence, disturbing images and language so be cautioned when deciding to bring youngsters to see the film. The movie was filmed in English in Mumbai, India.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Slumdog Millionaire is an inspiring and courageous film that should not be missed. (5 of 5 Palm Trees)

RESEÑA DE LA PELICULA PARAISO TRAVEL 

Presentada en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Fort Lauderdale del 15 de Octubre al 11 de Noviembre de 2008. Paraíso Travel, basada en el exitoso libro del mismo nombre escrito por Jorge Franco, quien también escribió el guión junto con Juan Rendón, ha tenido un éxito total en este Festival que ya conocemos como FLIFF.  

Muy buena dirección de parte de Simon Brand, quien logra visualizar las escenas de una manera conmovedora. Relata la historia de Marlon Cruz, (Aldemar Correa) un muchacho de Medellín, quien es seducido por Reina, (Angelica Blandon) quien tiene la fiebre del sueño americano. Marlon, no muy convencido, pero débil de carácter, se deja llevar por Reina, una mujer manipuladora, con una meta fija y no deja que nada se atraviese en su camino. Inclusive Marlon renuncia a todo lo que tiene valor para el, para irse a Nueva York, cruzando por México en un viaje muy arriesgado. 

Al llegar a Nueva York sin dinero y nada de lo que les habían prometido, el sueño americano se convierte en pesadilla cuando la pareja se separa accidentalmente, y esta terrible y desconocida ciudad de hierro se traga a Marlon, quien a punto de morir de hambre y de frío, es rescatado por compatriotas generosos. Marlon, completamente iluso y vulnerable se propone encontrar a Reina, pase lo que pase.  

Al final, Marlon ha sido transformado por las duras lecciones de la vida de un inmigrante ilegal. Otros personajes en esta historia revelan esta terrible verdad: Raquel (Margarita Rosa de Francisco), y Milagros (Ana de la Reguera). Todas las actuaciones son fenomenales. 

Le recomiendo que vaya a ver esta película. 

5 de 5 estrellas

Reseña escrita por Lucía Obregón 

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2008 Ft Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival
By Denise Castillón

The on-going Ft Lauderdale Film Fest will gift festival-goers with a first-rate selection of special film screening events. Beginning this weekend with I‘VE LOVED YOU SO LONG and SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK, then, into next week with NOTTURNO BUS (Night Bus).

French novelist and literary professor, Philippe Claudel debuts as a scriptwriter and director with I‘VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T’aime), starring Kristin Scott Thomas as a woman with a secret past hiding an unspeakable crime, who, after many years, reunites with her younger sister (played by Elsa Zylberstein). (French language, with English subtitles). A Sony Pictures Classics release.
Screens at FLIFF on Friday, October 24th, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge.

Charlie Kaufman, the surrealist writer of “Being with John Malovich” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, makes his directorial debut with his latest scripted comedy SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK [pronounced Sih –NECK-doh-kee]. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as a regional theater director in Schenectady, who escapes his messy personal life by relocating to a New City warehouse, where he confines an ensemble cast to rehearse his latest play. Hoffman is supported by an impressive array of actors, such as Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest and Hope Davis. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
Screens at FLIFF on Saturday, October 25th, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge

In NOTTURNO BUS (Night Bus), a noir-styled caper comedy from Italy, Franz is a night bus driver with a heavy gambling debt. During his airport destination route, he picks up Leila, a beautiful thief who has unknowingly stolen a top secret microchip. Together, they embark on a thrilling and zany adventure. (Italian language, with English subtitles).
Screens at FLIFF on Wednesday, October 29th, 7PM and Thursday, October 30, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge

For more information, go to www.FLIFF.com