Film festival features Brazil

Brazilian cinema will be spotlighted along with films from Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the United States during CineFest Nuestra America: “Viva o Brasil,” which runs Thursday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 17.

The fourth annual CineFest, which focuses on Latino and Latin American cinema, is presented by the Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies Program in partnership with Cine-Club Iberoamericano, UW Cinematheque, the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Wisconsin Film Festival and the Wisconsin Union Directorate Film Committee.

The theme “Viva o Brasil” celebrates the creativity of South America’s largest country, and welcomes Severino Albuquerque, professor of Spanish and Portuguese, as the new director of LACIS.

Opening night features “Possible Loves (Amores Possiveis)” Brazil, 2000, directed by Sandra Werneck at the University Square Theatres. Additional highlights at University Square and at campus venues include “Maids (Dom≥sticas)” Brazil, 2001, directed by Fernando Meirelles and Nando Olival; “Behind the Sun (Abril Despeda≠ado),” Brazil, 2001, directed by Walter Salles; “Come and Take It Day,” a perspective on the U.S. Latino experience, with writer-director Jim Mendiola in person; “Bachata: Mœsica del Pueblo,” a documentary about music from the Dominican Republic with director Giovanni Savino in person; Latino shorts programmed by CineFest curator Ray Santisteban featuring “Before Take Off” by filmmaker Thiago da Costa; and a documentary about the history of Latinos in Hollywood, “The Bronze Screen.”

The CineFest programs were assembled by Santisteban, with additional programming by da Costa and the CineFest Coordinating Committee.

Admission for University Square Theaters programs is $5 ($3 students) and free at campus venues (seating limited and on a first-come basis).

Information:262-2811. Complete schedule: http://www.wifilmfest.org.