Just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, Oakland University’s Hispanic Film Festival is a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture, storytelling and cinema.
The event brings together students, faculty and the local community to explore the rich tapestry of Hispanic culture. Through a carefully curated selection of films, the festival not only entertains but also educates — ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture.
The film chosen to be shown on Thursday, Sept. 28, was “Tiempo de Lluvia,” directed by indigenous filmmaker Ithandehui Jansen. The film details a raw and emotional story of a small village traditional healer, Soledad (Angeles Cruz), and her city-living daughter, Adela (Alejandra Herrera), as the two have to decide what environment is best for Adela’s son, Jose (Nu Kahnu).
Soledad wants Jose to remain in the indigenous village with her, while Adela wants to bring her son with her to Mexico City. As the film explores both contrasting ways of living, it details the serene but small life that Soledad lives as well as the hustle and bustle of the city that Adela lives in — not to mention her struggle living with Chucho (Harold Torres), her abusive boyfriend.
The film is well-written and beautifully shot — not to mention how it handles such a raw story. The focus on family and familial bond, love for your homeland and loss is not only empathy-evoking but also thought-provoking.
Another film that was shown on Thursday, Sept. 21, was “La Frontera Infinita,” directed by Juan Manuel Sepúlveda. The documentary highlights the struggle of immigrants migrating to the United States — an issue central to the film festival’s importance.
“The film festival tries to raise awareness about different issues and realities that concern Latin America,” event organizer and professor Adolfo Campoy-Cubillo said. “The images of Latinos keep changing from being side characters in major productions to becoming the main characters.”
The film festival serves as a great way to introduce more information about Hispanic heritage while simultaneously showing the audience different perspectives — sometimes of those in the same country, as shown in “Tiempo de Lluvia.”
“We were absolutely overwhelmed and had not expected such a turnout for the film. It shows that there is a real hunger and interest for films about local communities,” the film’s writer and producer Armando Bautista said in an interview with L.A. Taco.
It is also critical to note the importance of this film festival for those who are far from their homeland, as the films shown might serve as a reminder — and celebration — of their culture and heritage.
OU’s Hispanic Film Festival will be showing the film, “This Stolen Country of Mine,” directed by Marc Wiese, on Thursday, Oct. 5, at noon in the Habitat of the Oakland Center.
This documentary explores corrupt leadership, as well as indigenous resistance to the exploitation of their homes in Latin America. Wiese will also be joining the screening for a live Q&A.
For more information about OU’s Hispanic Film Festival — as well as Hispanic Heritage Month events — you can visit the 2023 Hispanic Film Fest’s registration page, as well as the Hispanic Heritage Month page on OU’s website.
