Skip to main content

Campus Open House to screen ‘Americanos’

July 21, 2000

A vibrant documentary about Latino culture and an encore presentation of films by emerging UW–Madison filmmakers will be featured as part of the Campus Open House, August 18-20, in programs presented by the Wisconsin Film Festival and the UW Cinematheque.

“Americanos: Latino Life in the United States” celebrates the remarkable Latino heritage through the personal stories of Latino-Americans – from music superstar Carlos Santana to the first Hispanic woman in the President’s cabinet, performance artist Guillermo Gomez-Pena, the Midwest Low-Riders Celebration of Culture, and a Mexican-American Elvis impersonator and activist.

Conceived and co-produced by actor/activist Edward James Olmos, “Americanos” highlights the contributions made by Latinos in this country. Shot in dozens of locations across the country, the film is humorous, wise and soul-stirring, and infused with music by Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Lhasa and other Latino luminaries.

“Americanos” will be shown August 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. at the UW Cinematheque, 4070 Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue. Both showings are free and open to the public; seating is on a first-come basis.

Following the screening of “Americanos” on both nights will be screenings of three 30-minute films by emerging UW–Madison filmmakers. All three films were shot on digital video. The films to be screened are:

  • Blind Spot: Screenwriter: Christopher Sieving. Director: Eric Scherbarth. Producer: Josh Perkiel. Murder and mayhem ensue when a police detective becomes obsessed with the wife of a man who has mysteriously disappeared.
  • Ever Fixéd Mark: Screenwriter: CarrieLynn Reinhard. Director: Sarah Blain. Producer: Megan Smith. A young woman’s life is completely disrupted when her free-spirited mother shows up pregnant and refuses to devulge the identity of the father.
  • Snail Boy: Screenwriter: Christopher Taber. Director: Travis Hottinger. Producer: Craig Stoa. A quirky comedy in which high school becomes an even bigger nightmare for a young boy born with a shell on his back.

For a complete Campus Open House schedule, visit: http://www.news.wisc.edu/openhouse/. For more information, call (608) 265-9500.