Uncover new Ibero-American cinema at the SCU Spanish Film Festival

The Southern Cross University Spanish Film Festival will bring the Spanish and Portuguese speaking worlds’ rich and diverse cinema to Lismore and Bellingen over the weekend of August 21 to 23.

Five films will screen as part of the SCU Spanish Film Festival in a showcase of Ibero-American cinema, with films from Paraguay, Costa Rica, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and other South and Central American countries, including the popular Paraguayan thriller 7 Boxes.

Award-winning media artist and Bachelor of Media course coordinator at Southern Cross University Dr Grayson Cooke is the Festival organiser.

“The School of Arts and Social Sciences, and in particular the media program at SCU, is hosting the SCU Spanish Film Festival to shine a light on emerging cinema from parts of the world that don’t often get the spotlight,” Dr Cooke said.

“This Festival will provide both our students and wider communities a chance to celebrate the rich and diverse cinema that arises from the Spanish and Portuguese speaking world.

“This cinema – called ‘Ibero-American’ - is essentially a post-colonial cinema. It shows us the ongoing echoes of the Spanish and Portuguese empires. In many ways these films come from the border between the developed and developing world. They provide us with this incredible picture of life as it is lived across this vast spectrum, and are concerned with the joys, troubles and aspirations of people in often very difficult situations.”

Dr Cooke said he was excited to be screening 7 Boxes as part of the Festival.

“The opening night film, 7 Boxes, is a superb and kinetic thriller shot entirely in a market in Asuncion, Paraguay. It’s essentially a vast chase sequence between a delivery boy, who gets involved with gangsters, and the police. It’s an excellent film and worth seeing – it’s been compared to Slumdog Millionaire.

LISMORE – Star Court Theatre
Go to the Star Court Theatre website for film and ticket information.

FRIDAY August 21
6pm: 7 Boxes
8pm: I Thought it was a Party

SATURDAY August 22
6pm: Father’s Chair
8pm: The Return

SUNDAY August 23
4pm: From the Land to Your Table
This screening will be followed by a panel discussion run by the Regional Food Network, featuring local food producers and distributors.

BELLINGEN - Bellingen Memorial Hall
Go to the Bellingen Memorial Hall website for film and ticket information.

SATURDAY August 22
2pm: 7 Boxes
4pm: I Thought it was a Party

SUNDAY August 23
2pm: Father’s Chair
4pm: The Return
6pm: From the Land to Your Table

The SCU Spanish Film Festival is supported by the Star Court Theatre and the Mixed-Up Reels film club. It is part of The Spanish Film Club series which was made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts & culture, and the Secretary of State for the Culture of Spain.

Photo: 7 Boxes