2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Some Latin Flavor to Savor
John Mango '10
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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John Mango '10
I would like to preface this article you have so astutely chosen to read with a warning (maybe warning is too harsh a word, but certainly, if nothing else, a heads up). My knowledge of Latin American culture includes what I learned from seeing those Speedy Gonzalez cartoons, watching that movie Apocolypto, and eating at Over the Border a few times. Granted, this probably says a lot about me, as I've had the privilege to visit Ecuador and experience Latin American culture firsthand. But enough about me, because that's not why you're reading this. If you wanted to read about me you'd be on Facebook, not checking out The Cowl.
The Latin American Film Festival (which ran from Sept. 22 to 29) took place all around Providence with different shows hosted at a plethora of relatively obscure media venues. I was lucky enough to attend a movie screening at the quaintly antique Columbus Theater located on 270 Broadway Street (Broadway is right off Federal Hill). Some of the other more festive fiestas to take place under the jurisdiction of the LAFF included the screening of films such as El Clown, Viva Cuba, Cheese Face, Shut Up and Do It, Mississippi Chicken, and Sanky Panky (don't worry, I thought [read thought as hoped] it was named Skanky Panky at first glance too).
I had the pleasure of viewing the film Washington Heights, written by and starring Manny Perez (for those of you not familiar with Mr. Perez, he's played roles in Courage Under Fire, CSI, Law & Order, and many other shows you probably haven't seen, but, fear not, he plays the same drug dealer character in every one. I'm not belittling him. He said it himself, and he's pretty darn good at it).
To be completely honest with you, I liked this movie about as much as I enjoyed taking ice skating lessons when I was a kid (my mom said I was too dainty to play hockey, and I had the grace of Michelle Kwan . . . the other figure skaters beat me up a lot).
I would like to preface this article you have so astutely chosen to read with a warning (maybe warning is too harsh a word, but certainly, if nothing else, a heads up). My knowledge of Latin American culture includes what I learned from seeing those Speedy Gonzalez cartoons, watching that movie Apocolypto, and eating at Over the Border a few times. Granted, this probably says a lot about me, as I've had the privilege to visit Ecuador and experience Latin American culture firsthand. But enough about me, because that's not why you're reading this. If you wanted to read about me you'd be on Facebook, not checking out The Cowl.
The Latin American Film Festival (which ran from Sept. 22 to 29) took place all around Providence with different shows hosted at a plethora of relatively obscure media venues. I was lucky enough to attend a movie screening at the quaintly antique Columbus Theater located on 270 Broadway Street (Broadway is right off Federal Hill). Some of the other more festive fiestas to take place under the jurisdiction of the LAFF included the screening of films such as El Clown, Viva Cuba, Cheese Face, Shut Up and Do It, Mississippi Chicken, and Sanky Panky (don't worry, I thought [read thought as hoped] it was named Skanky Panky at first glance too).
I had the pleasure of viewing the film Washington Heights, written by and starring Manny Perez (for those of you not familiar with Mr. Perez, he's played roles in Courage Under Fire, CSI, Law & Order, and many other shows you probably haven't seen, but, fear not, he plays the same drug dealer character in every one. I'm not belittling him. He said it himself, and he's pretty darn good at it).
To be completely honest with you, I liked this movie about as much as I enjoyed taking ice skating lessons when I was a kid (my mom said I was too dainty to play hockey, and I had the grace of Michelle Kwan . . . the other figure skaters beat me up a lot).