¡Ojo! Latine media, art & cultural happenings to keep your eye on.
This special, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival themed edition of !Ojo! will spotlight the festival’s films with LGBTQ representation. LALIFF is a five-day celebration that is dedicated to showcasing the richness of Latino lives on the silver screen. This year’s group of inclusive films includes at least three films starring afro-latinos, as well as trans and non-binary latino characters, all intersections of latino identity that are often underrepresented on screen.
The festival will run from Wednesday, May 29th – Sunday, June 2nd, 2024, and show excellent films from the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Brazil, the U.S. and many others. To watch, get your LALIFF tickets here.
Read on for each film’s official synopsis, trailer, and direct links to buy tickets for specific screenings!
Features
Boca Chica (dir. Gabriella A. Moses) – Dominican Republic
At 12, Desi dreams of becoming a famous singer. But her goal is threatened by the insidious future that awaits some of the girls in her town – a future that may be perpetuated by some of those closest to her. A story of courage, hope, and the power of finding your own voice.
Watch the trailer for Boca Chica below and get your tickets here!
Power Alley (dir. Lillah Halla) – Brazil, France, Uruguay
Set in São Paulo, this gripping tale of personal struggle and societal challenges follows Sofia, a spirited teen volleyball player from a modest background whose life takes a dramatic turn when she faces an unwanted pregnancy in a society marked by rigid conservatism and restrictive women’s rights. As she prepares to fight for her autonomy and identity, she is supported by her team, including trans and non-binary members, expanding the story into a vivid and contemporary exploration of queer sisterhood and resilience against the odds.
Toll (dir. Carolina Markowicz) – Brazil, Portugal
Suellen, a toll booth attendant, realizes she can use her job to raise some extra money illegally. But this is only to send her son to an expensive gay conversion workshop led by a renowned foreign priest.
About 30 (dir. Martín Shanly) – Argentina
Attending a former schoolmate’s wedding, Arturo escapes unharmed from a car accident. As guests react in various ways, the crash triggers a series of memories for Arturo, unfolding in flashback, of the most significant events and people from his life.
F.L.Y. (dir. Rafael Albarrán, Trent Kendrick) – United States
This slice-of-life comedy follows the intertwining journeys of former partners Max and Rafael amidst the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges of lockdown. Suddenly quarantined under one roof, Max, Rafael, and Max’s new boyfriend Hunter navigate awkward dinners, emotional revelations, misunderstandings, and heartache to embrace their authentic selves and forge a new kind of family.
Speaking Out (dir. John Solis)
Three gay men plagued by trauma undergo an emotional journey toward healing to become resilient, overcome their past, and finally speak out.
In The Summers (dir. Alessandra Lacorrazza) – United States
Every summer, sisters Violeta and Eva visit their loving but reckless father Vicente, who tries to atone for the past by creating a world of wonder for them to experience. But old wounds do not heal easily and despite the fun facade, Vicente’s battle with addiction gradually erodes the magic, culminating in a devastating tragedy.
Learn more about In The Summers in last week’s edition of !Ojo!
Animated Shorts
Strass (Julián Lassa Ortíz) – Argentina
After surviving a street attack, Tomás and his boyfriend find safe shelter only to be confronted by a mysterious shadow.
Get your ticket to the Anímate: Animated Shorts Program here!
Live Action Shorts
A Bird Called Memory (dir. Leonardo Martinelli) – Brazil, United Kingdom
When a bird named Memory forgets his way home, a trans woman searches for him in the streets–but the city can be a hostile place.
Get your ticket to the Ocaso: Shorts Program here.
Cousins (dir. Ricardo J Varona) – Puerto Rico
During a teenage road trip to the west coast of Puerto Rico, sixteen-year-old Cristóbal begins to suspect that his crush Yazmín and his cousin Marcos are secretly seeing each other.
Get your ticket to the Unhinged Shorts Program here.
Gardens (dir. Alfredo Torres) – United States, Mexico
While waiting in limbo at a Tijuana shelter, displaced LGBTQ+ folks hoping to find asylum in the United States offer support and healing to one another as they process their heartbreak and joy.
Get your ticket to the Spaces/Places shorts program here.
Inclusion Fellowship
Fiat Lux 5000 (dir. Daniel Eduvijes Carrera) – United States
Devoted son Manuel Espinoza grapples with the challenges of caring for his dementia-afflicted father while navigating the complexities of his own life and gay relationship. But when Manuel employs an experimental brain modulation device––the Fiat Lux 5000––to reconnect with his ailing father, it triggers unforeseen consequences, unraveling their shared past and reviving a violent family legacy.