As the light from a massive screen shined over the 200 person audience, it became apparent that the coming week would be full of education, culture and art at Cine+Mas’s Latino Film Festival at the de Young Museum.
Popular with members of the film and Latino communities, the festival serves as a window to different cultural perspectives and visual art through documentaries, short film and narratives.
“I went to see “El Infierno” this weekend after reading much about Mexican politicians’ opposition to the film. The violence depicted may be over the top,” said Katynka Martinez, a Raza studies professor at SF State. “Director Luis Estrada wisely uses satire and dark humor to address corruption and impunity.”
“My hope is that audiences will recognize that cinema can be entertaining and also provide a powerful medium through which to create dialogue on pressing social issues,” Martinez continued.
The festival is presented by Cine+Mas, an organization founded in 2009 after the collapse of another independent film organization. The non-profit film collective has soared and grown over its short three year stint.
“Cine+Mas comes from my own love of cinema and we will keep going until we can’t anymore,” said Lucho Ramirez, founder and director of Cine+Mas.
The festival highlights works from countries across Latin America and Spain as well as Bay Area filmmakers to give a complete cultural perspective of Latino life.
Gladys Rocha, member of Cine+Mas’s organizing committee, believes in the importance of preserving culture.
“I moved here (from Mexico) when I was 12 and have seen both sides. I know what it’s like trying to learn a new way of life but wanting to hold on to the old,” Rocha said. “These movies are little bits of our cultures, so we try to bring stories of our countries to show what it’s like.”
The films featured in the festival were strategically chosen to make the audience think about outside stereotypes and see the differences in culture.
“There’s much more about our culture than just dance, boxing and soccer,” said Ramirez. “We’re our own unique cultures but each is worth exploring.”
The film festival closes Sunday with a salsa party at the El Rio beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets are $8.
