Review by Frances Montalvo Palacios
An scene of the film Poscards of Leningrad
Puerto Rican Benicio del Toro is the executive producer of Maldeamores or Lovesickness. A seasoned actor and up and coming producer, del Toro was able to turn a great script, full of drama, into a comedy. This film is about several, on-going, separate stories based on love-Puerto Rican style! Don’t let this picture still with kids fool you, as it is not a kid’s story. It is however, a story that many of us can relate to, or know of someone who has been through these situations, the cheating husband, the young, crazy and single brother and the reality of how the elderly can still love and adapt. There is also the other love story, of how kids interpret and experiment with love for the first time. The film is funny, entertaining, engaging and a welcome surprise coming from this tropical island, known as a commonwealth of the United States.
Luis Guzman (BOOGIE NIGHTS) is one of the stars, whose wife’s mother has just died and how that tragedy leads to a painful discovery for the family. There is also a story around a love confession and how that turns into a tragic hostage situation. Of course, there is a love triangle with some great actors that portray the elderly and how they deal with the past and present situations.
This film has not yet been released, but you can enjoy it now at the 12th International Latino Film Festival. Don’t miss Maldeamores, in Spanish with English subtitles in San Jose this Friday.
The film Postcards from Leningrad
Here are the details: Maldeamores / Lovesickness directors Carlitos Ruíz Ruíz y Mariem Pérez, 2007, Puerto Rico, 90 min.
CAMARA 12 DOWN-TOWN
201 South Second St. San Jose, CA.
Ph: 408. 998.3300.
Web: www.cameracinemas.com.
Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 at 9:15 p.m.
Also, enjoy the film Postcards from Leningrad, told by a child that brings to life the wars of Venezuela!
Postales de Leningrado / Postcards from Leningrad director Mariana Rondón, 2007, Venezuela, 74 min.
For La Niña and Teo, childhood during the leftist uprising in 1960s Venezuela is a bumpy ride. While learning to live a clandestine life, they use their imaginations to invent disguises, code-names, escape plans, and superhero revolutionaries, all to help their families survive the realities of guerrilla warfare.
CAMARA 12 DOWN-TOWN
201 South Second St., San Jose, CA.
Ph: 408.998.3300.
Web: www.cameracinemas.com.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at 3:30 p.m.
