Latinos Leave A Lasting Impression At Sundance Film Festival

By Michael Lopez

If you think about it, Latino filmmakers have always seemed to have a good amount of indie street cred. Guillermo del Toro started out creating low budget masterpieces, as did Biutiful’s Alejandro González Iñárritu. And now, several new Hispanic directors are hoping to make a mark too, with their selections at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

One of the most anticipated features screening at Sundance was directed by Edward James Olmos' son, Michael. Filly Brown has already been garnering a ton of buzz and not just for its gritty plot. This movie's got an unrecognizable Jenni Rivera in the lead role, playing a tough incarcerated mother.

Mosquita y Mari is another selection that has been wowing the critics. Directed by newcomer Aurora Guerrero, this heart-wrenching drama follows the lives of two young Latinas who may be more than "just friends." Guerrero told the Huffington Post that she's extremely proud of this movie and its message to Latinos who are struggling with their sexuality.

"I think immigrant Latinos and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people have been portrayed in [film in] ways that aren't accessible to people largely because they have been written from a place of fear and hate," she explained. "I hope to provide...an opportunity for Latino families to engage in dialogue about issues of desire and sex, not just the same sex, but desire in general."

Clearly the dialogue is already happening, as Mosquita y Mari has been dominating independent movie blogs for weeks.

Spanish director Rodrigo Cortes has assembled an all-star cast for his Sundance feature, Red Lights. Robert De Niro, Sigourney Weaver, and Cillian Murphy all star in this supernatural drama which is certain to acquire big studio distribution before the year is out.

Other interesting Latino selections include Argentina's The Last Elvis. Set in the world of Presley impersonators, it's actually supposed to be a very touching story. Too bad they couldn't nab Bruno Mars for the lead.

Violeta In Heaven should be a very strong contender in the biopic category. Based on the life of Chilean folk singer Violeta Parra, it's supposedly filled with great music and has a breakout performance by Francisca Gavilán.

And as far as the short films go, Una Hora Por Favor should provide plenty of laughs throughout its 13-minute runtime. Wilmer Valderrama stars with SNL vet Michaela Watkins in what's described as a race-relations, paternalized immigration comedy.

You can check out all of the Sundance movies by visiting the festival's official site.

What's your favorite independent movie? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Aurora Guerrero, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Filly Brown, Francisca Gavilán, Jenni Rivera, Michael Olmos, Michaela Watkins, Mosquita y Mari, Movies & CineMás, Red Lights, Rodrigo Cortes, Sundance, Sundance Film Festival, The Last Elvis, Una Hora Por Favor, Violeta In Heaven, Wilmer Valderrama