The area of Latin America is rich in its cultural traditions, food, music and politics. This year, Hot Docs programmers are bringing us some very interesting, flavourful documentaries from that region. This is but a small sample of the many films you can see at the festival.
I simply love this film. Food is a major component of most cultures. Peruvian cuisine has become world renowned for its complexity and intricate flavours. In this film, you will learn more about Peruvian food in general; the different regions, cultural significance and the role it plays in Peruvians’ identities. As well, you will get to travel through Peru to learn more about the various types of cooking and you’ll go as far as France and other European countries where this cuisine is reaching new heights. A question raised throughout the film is that of how can a country with such rich food flavours also have a high rate of hunger? I know many of you will enjoy this film… a cautionary note: have a snack before seeing it.
A meditative and intimate film that takes us into the yearly pilgrimage the Wixáritari people take into the mountain areas of Jalisco in search of peyote. What is great about this documentary is that everyone in the community knows they are being filmed. The elders mention this is a way for them to share their culture and to have a record for their descendants. Their beliefs and customs are very much tied to everything in nature. The film itself contains minimal soundtrack but we get to hear the Wixáritari’s language Huichol, their music and the sounds of nature. I recommend this film because it opens a door to a community we, otherwise, would not know much about.
A documentary for anyone who loves Brazilian music or wants to know more about it; this is a nice introduction and history lesson. Since 1939, North Americans have been enjoying Brazilian sounds. The film weaves archival footage along with interviews with Gilberto Gil, Bebel Gilberto, Os Mutantes and many other artists including M.I.A and Towa Tei. We also see how influential Brazilian music has become in various musical genres throughout the world. This is a lovely musical trip.
Daniel Burmeister is a travelling filmmaker… so what’s so different about him? He travels in his beat-up car throughout Argentina making films. Getting to see Argentina on film has inspired me to plan a trip out there to see some of the sights up close. To be honest, I have always wanted to tour the Patagonia region, and this documentary prompted me to do some research into tour companies like Global Basecamps. Watch this space! Anyway, Burmeister is in charge of all aspects of the film making process from lighting to editing. He works with five scripts and rotates them through the many towns; there’s always a funeral and always a wedding. He lives simply and modestly off his films only making some money off ticket sales when he premieres the film in each town. What you quickly begin to see is not just about making films for Burmeister, although he enjoys it immensely. It’s about involving everyone in the town and sharing in the experience. As a young man says in the film, “it doesn’t matter how good or bad the film is. It got people talking and connecting with each other.” Burmeister is definitely someone I’d like to have a chat with…
This documentary is a close look at the issue of redistribution of land in Nicaragua and how it became the biggest commodity for North American investors. In blink of an eye, Nicaragua’s beaches became the “New Florida.” In the film, we come to meet three American investors with hope making money and retiring in the Nicaragua Riviera. But what about the people who actually live in this land? In an effort to bring “progress” to this developing nation, locals are working in harsh conditions for little pay and at the same, ending up with no place to live, no play areas for local children and no rights. The film does provide us with both sides of the story with interviews with some of the investors as well as local community members. There will be an interesting conversation after you see this film.
These are but a few films showcased in the Made in South America programme. For more information on other films, box office and schedule, visit the Hot Docs website. Need help picking your films? Just watch trailers on many of the documentaries at this year’s festival by going to Hot Docs’ YouTube channel. Hot Docs runs from April 29 to May 9.
The 64th #Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Canada’s