Instituto Cervantes at the National Hispanic Cultural Center is launching another film series this week with Óperas Primeras, spotlighting the first works of young directors that have not been widely distributed around the world. Obscure though they might be, these films have all been singled out for praise, awards and/or film festival recognition. The series begins this Thursday, March 27, with Antonio Cuadri’s 2004 film Eres Mi Héroe . This comedy/drama is a coming-of-age tale set in Spain during the turbulent ’70s. Future films include Vicente Peñarrocha’s Fuera del Cuerpo (April 10), Jordi Solé’s El Taxista Ful (April 17), Norberto Ramos’ Muertos Comunes (April 24), Óscar Aibar’s Platillos Volantes (May 1), Adán Aliaga’s La Casa de mi Abuela (May 8) and Marta Arribas’ El Tren de la Memoria (May 15). All films are in Spanish with English subtitles and will be shown in NHCC’s Bank of America Theater starting at 7 p.m. For more info, log on to www.nhccnm.org.
Conference Call
Hopefully, you signed up early like I told you to a couple weeks ago, because this Thursday kicks off the big annual New Mexico Filmmakers’ Conference. Sponsored by the New Mexico Film Office, this three-day gathering of local film talent will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque starting on Thursday, March 27. There will be presentions by the Screen Actors Guild, ABC/Disney, The New Mexico Music Commission, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center, and more. Filmmakers like Gregory Nava ( El Norte ), Heather Rae ( Trudell ), Laura Milliken ( Moccasin Flats ) and others will lead a variety of educational forums. A trade show and a film screening hosted by actor Wes Studi are also scheduled.New Mexico’s home-based filmmakers, writers, producers, music composers and actors are encouraged to attend, helping build networks within and beyond our state’s borders. All events are open to the public, but space is limited. You can preregister by going to www.nmfilm.com or by calling the Film Office at (505) 576-5600.
Nm Film Films In Nm
Films shot in New Mexico lately ( The Spirit, The Game, Terminator Salvation ) haven’t had much local flavor, but all that should change with Spoken Word , a drama inspired by the works of local poet Joe Ray Sandoval. The film is to be directed by Victor Nunez ( Ulee’s Gold ) and will star the likes of Kuno Becker ( Goal ), Ruben Blades ( The Milagro Beanfield War ) and Miguel Sandoval ( Nine Lives ). The story concerns a touring spoken word artist who returns to Chimayo to be with his dying father. The production is scheduled to begin filming in and around Santa Fe on March 24.
