Boston Latino International Film Festival 2008

A selection of the best eight shorts produced by Spanish directors between 2007 and 2008: El Palacio de la Luna, Harraga, La Clase, Paredes, Paseo, Por que hay cosas que…, Test, Viaje a Bangkok. Co-presented by Madrid en Corto.

These shorts explore the themes of identity, reality and perception to varying degrees and even more varied conclusions: The Pain of the Macho, Mamitas, Onda Corta (Short Wave], El Ojo Unico [The Eye], Dolores Del Rio, Cassandra.

Bracero Stories is a video documentary exploring the personal experiences of five former “guest workers” in the controversial U.S.- Mexican government Bracero Program, which granted temporary work contracts to millions of Mexican laborers between 1942 and 1964. Their stories are integrated with current debates regarding illegal immigration and the implementation of a new guest worker program. Official selection, 2008 International Latino Film Festival - San Francisco

Casa Libre/Freedom House is a one hour documentary delving into the lives of unaccompanied and undocumented children here in the United States. These are children who are leaving their countries for desperate reasons such as abuse and abandonment. They come here alone and face a myriad of obstacles that sometimes ends in tragedy ond/or sometimes on a better note when they find refuge in one of the only shelters serving this population.

An American independent filmmaker on tour with Spanish Rock band La Ley on their final tour after 16 years. Starting off with zero access the filmmaker finally wins the band over and is invited to the Latin Grammy’s at the Shrine Auditorium on 2005. Filmed in the US, Mexico, and South America it’s a true rockumentary with blood sweet and tears on the side Co-presented by Clandestino.

What do the Beatles, Kiss, Roxette, Queen, Genesis and Pink Floyd have in common? They're all bands that have at least one "tribute band" in Argentina. And, of course, followers who are fans of the "original" bands as well as the "imitating" bands, are in some cases even more devoted to the latter. Has rock run out of ideas? Is the audience not willing to open up to anything new? Is there a special talent in this region of the world for these tributes? This film doesn't necessarily respond to all these questions, but raises them with humor, tenderness, and a very skillful eye for finding extraordinary stories, of high originality, in this copyist world.

This colorful documentary paints an impressionist portrait of the Cuban community via sincere interviews and stunning sequence shots. Catuey, a Cuban musician, takes us on a journey through his homeland as Cubanos explores a complex history and a national identity fragmented.