The Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF) will launch its 34th annual celebration with a “Night of Puerto Rico” gala on Thursday, April 5.
The event begins with a pair of highly anticipated film premieres at AMC River East and continues with a cocktail reception at nearby Chez, 247 E. Ontario. Raúl Marchand Sánchez’s new comedy, Broche de Oro: Comienzos, will start the fun at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.).
Focusing on relationships formed in a senior residence, the story follows an ensemble cast of three men and three women who “challenge the home’s rules of behavior” and “remind us to live (life) to the fullest until the end,” according to letterboxd.com.
One of the site’s commenters praised the film’s “likable, lovable, charismatic and enjoyable characters.”
Filmmaker Raúl Marchand Sánchez was born in San Juan and educated at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Fine Arts. His 2001 feature debut, 12 Hours, won the Audience Choice award at the 18th annual Chicago Latino Film Festival and became Puerto Rico’s official entry to the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
According to CLFF founder Pepe Vargas, Sánchez’ most recent work can be defined by two words: “pure heart.”
“Its distinctive sense of humor, its humanity, and most importantly, its Puerto Rican-ness shines through each frame,” he explains. “It’s a song to life, to solidarity, to new beginnings, and that is why we chose it to open this 34th edition of our Festival.”
Also premiering at the event will be the world premiere of Ivonne Coll’s and Javier Colón Rios’ short film, From Now On.
From Now On is the story of two middle age women who make a stop along the Malibu Coast while traveling to Northern California on a day when, according to a CLFF press release, they have chosen a “momentous” and “life changing decision.”
The 34th Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF) runs from April 5 to April 19 at AMC River East 21. Along the way, it will screen more than 100 feature-length and short films from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States. All of the films will be shown in their original language with English subtitles where appropriate.
To view the 2018 schedule, click here.
CLFF SPONSORS
Gold: Corona Extra, AMC Independent
Silver: Tequila Casa Noble, BMO Harris Bank, The Whitehall Hotel, Yes! Press and DePaul University
Bronze: Coca-Cola, Consulate General of the Argentine Republic, Consulate General of Chile in Chicago, St. Augustine College, Copa Airlines, Lopez & Co, Prado & Renteria, and Tristan & Cervantes
Media Sponsors: Univision Chicago, HOY/Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, Chicago Sun Times, WTTW-TV, CAN-TV, Chicago Latino Network and La Raza
Contact editor daniel patton at dan@reelchicago.com.
