Movies About Hispanic Culture

From Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen
Rated R

City of God is a 2002 Brazilian crime film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. Set in the Cidade de Deus favela (slum) of Rio de Janeiro, the film follows the story of two young boys growing up in the violent, poverty-stricken city. It chronicles their paths in life, one of whom rises to become a successful drug dealer and the other becoming a photographer. Through the use of kinetic and hand-held camera movements, the filmmakers create a vivid, intense and brutally realistic representation of life in the slums. The film explores themes of poverty, crime and survival, as well as the power of friendship and loyalty. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Cinematography, and was a major success at the box office.

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Rated R

Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fantasy film set in Spain during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War in 1944. The story follows Ofelia, an imaginative young girl who is sent to live with her stepfather, the tyrannical Captain Vidal. To escape the harsh reality of her world, Ofelia discovers a magical labyrinth and meets a faun who tells her she is a long-lost princess. Ofelia must complete three dangerous tasks in order to prove her identity and return to the mystical underworld. Along the way, she must confront her stepfather and his cruel regime, while also discovering the truth about her identity and her destiny.

From Juan José Campanella, starring Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Carla Quevedo
Rated R

The Secret in Their Eyes is a 2009 Argentine crime drama directed by Juan José Campanella. The film stars Ricardo Darín and Soledad Villamil as private investigators in a Federal Courthouse in Buenos Aires who become embroiled in a 25-year-old case involving the murder of a woman. The two investigators, Benjamin Espósito (Darín) and Irene Menéndez-Hastings (Villamil) have a shared past that is revealed throughout the film. The story focuses on their dedication to solving the case amid the corruption and politics that threaten to derail their investigation. In the end, Espósito is able to bring justice to the victim and peace to those involved. The film won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2010.

From Damián Szifron, starring Darío Grandinetti, María Marull, Mónica Villa, Diego Starosta
Rated R

Wild Tales, a 2014 Argentinian comedy film directed by Damián Szifron, is an anthology of six darkly comedic tales that explore the extreme limits of human behavior. The stories are connected by a theme of revenge and retribution, as each lead character is driven to the brink of madness by a series of unfortunate events. From an escalating confrontation between two strangers on a plane, to a jilted bride's plan for revenge, the characters of Wild Tales face their injustices with wild and often violent outbursts. Through the film's six episodes, Szifron's characters learn that justice can come in unexpected ways and no one is exempt from the consequences of their actions.

From Walter Salles, starring Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mía Maestro, Mercedes Morán
Rated R

The Motorcycle Diaries is a 2004 biopic film directed by Walter Salles and based on the memoirs of the same name by Ernesto “Che” Guevara. The film follows the young Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado as they embark on a 8,000km motorcycle journey across South America in 1952. Along the way, they witness the poverty, injustice, and social inequalities that plague the continent, which will eventually shape Guevara's revolutionary ideals for social and economic justice. The film culminates in Guevara's transformation from carefree traveler to committed revolutionary.

From Ciro Guerra, starring Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet, Antonio Bolívar, Brionne Davis
Rated Not Rated

Embrace of the Serpent is a 2015 Colombian adventure drama film directed by Ciro Guerra. It follows the story of Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and the last survivor of his people, and the two scientists, Theo and Evan, who work together over the course of 40 years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant. As the search for the sacred plant goes on, the film dives into themes of colonialism, devastation, and the erosion of indigenous cultures. Karamakate's journey of self-discovery is juxtaposed with the destruction of his culture through the arrival of European colonizers, providing a unique insight into the effects of colonization. Themes of spirituality, culture, and the environment are explored throughout the film, ultimately leading to a powerful message of hope and healing.

From Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Horacio Salinas, Zamira Saunders, Juan Ferrara
Rated R

The Holy Mountain is a 1973 surrealist fantasy film by Alejandro Jodorowsky which follows the spiritual journey of a Christ-like figure known as "The Thief". The Thief is chosen by a mysterious alchemist to join a spiritual quest for immortality and spiritual transformation. Along the way, the Thief meets nine powerful figures on a mountaintop and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, eventually reaching a level of enlightenment that allows him to challenge the corrupt and oppressive forces of society. The film tackles themes of spirituality, mysticism, and the search for truth. It features a mix of surrealist visuals and avant-garde filmmaking techniques, creating a unique and thought-provoking experience.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey, Carlos Peralta
Rated R

Roma is a 2018 Mexican-American drama film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and written by Cuarón and his brother Carlos. Set in the early 1970s in Mexico City, the film follows a young woman named Cleo, an Indigenous domestic worker living with a middle-class family. The film centers around Cleo's relationship with the family, as they experience life's tapestry of joy and sorrow, love and loss. Through Cleo's eyes, the audience sees the social and cultural upheaval of a country in transition and the struggles of a domestic worker trying to find her place in it. The film is a personal story for Cuarón, as it is inspired by his childhood and the women who raised him. Roma is widely acclaimed as one of the best films of 2018, having won three Academy Awards, including Best Director, and a Golden Globe.

From Patricio Guzmán, starring Gaspar Galaz, Lautaro Núñez, Luís Henríquez, Miguel Lawner
Rated Not Rated

Nostalgia for the Light is a 2010 documentary by Chilean director Patricio Guzmán that examines the relationship between time and space in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The film interweaves three distinct stories—astronomers searching the skies for clues to the origins of the universe, women searching for the remains of loved ones who disappeared during the Pinochet dictatorship, and miners searching for nitrate, a mineral used in explosives—to explore how the Atacama Desert is a unifying force in the lives of its inhabitants. Guzmán masterfully explores the idea that the desert is both a place of hope and despair, a place of temporality and infinity, a place where the past, present and future converge in a single moment. By combining stunning visuals, thoughtful interviews, and haunting music, Guzmán creates a film that is as beautiful and thought-provoking as the desert itself.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo
Rated R

Volver is a 2006 Spanish drama film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The film stars Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo, and Chus Lampreave. It is set in La Mancha, a region in central Spain. The film follows Raimunda (Penélope Cruz), a working-class mother who lives with her daughter Paula (Yohana Cobo) and her husband Paco (Antonio de la Torre). When her sister Sole (Lola Dueñas) returns to their village after the death of their abusive mother Irene (Carmen Maura), the three women must confront the secrets of their past. Raimunda and Sole take on their mother’s unfinished business while Paula discovers the truth about her father. The film is a heartbreaking and humorous look at how the bonds of family and resilience can make all the difference in our lives. It is a story of love, loyalty, and redemption that focuses on the strength of women in a patriarchal society.

From Wim Wenders, starring Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Octavio Calderon
Rated G

Buena Vista Social Club is a 1999 documentary directed by Wim Wenders that tells the story of a group of elderly Cuban musicians who rose to worldwide fame after the release of the Grammy-winning album of the same name. The film follows the musicians—ranging in age from 76 to 93—as they travel to Amsterdam and New York City to perform, as well as documenting their life stories and the history of Cuban music. Along the way, the viewer is exposed to a variety of Cuban music from the 1940s and 1950s, as well as modern interpretations of classic songs. The film also features interviews with music legends such as Compay Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer, and is narrated by American actor and musician Ry Cooder. Buena Vista Social Club is a celebration of Cuban music, culture, and the human spirit.

From Gustavo Taretto, starring Javier Drolas, Miguel Dedovich, Pilar López de Ayala, Miguel Alvarez
Rated Not Rated

Sidewalls is a 2011 drama film directed by Gustavo Taretto and starring Pilar López de Ayala and Inés Efron. The story follows two young adults in Buenos Aires, Mariana (López de Ayala) and Martin (Efron), who live near each other but never meet. Mariana is a single woman trying to move on from a past relationship, while Martin is an introverted, socially awkward man. When the two finally meet, they discover that they have many similarities, including a shared loneliness and walled off hearts. Despite their initial awkwardness and trepidation, Mariana and Martin eventually form a meaningful relationship and learn how to open up and let go of their fears and doubts. Together, the two explore the city of Buenos Aires and find the courage to pursue their dreams. Through their journey, they learn to trust in themselves and the power of true love.

From Directors: Kief Davidson, Richard Ladkani, starring
Rated Not Rated

The Devil's Miner is a 2005 documentary film by directors Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani. It tells the story of 14-year-old Basilio and his 12-year-old brother Bernardino, who work in the mines in the Bolivian silver town of Potosí. Basilio and Bernardino, who are orphaned and left to fend for themselves, must work to provide for their family. The film follows their lives as they attempt to navigate the harsh conditions of the mines while they strive to make a better life for themselves and their family. The film highlights the risk and danger associated with the job and the often gruesome reality of life in the mines. It also reveals the hope and resilience of the children, as they strive to make a better future for themselves.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Javier Bardem, Maricel Álvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib, Guillermo Estrella
Rated R

From Icíar Bollaín, starring Gael García Bernal, Luis Tosar, Karra Elejalde, Juan Carlos Aduviri
Rated Not Rated

From Joshua Marston, starring Catalina Sandino Moreno, Guilied Lopez, Orlando Tobón, Virginia Cristina Ariza
Rated R

From J.A. Bayona, starring Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep, Mabel Rivera
Rated R

From Peter Bratt, starring Dolores Huerta, Martin Luther King, Luis Valdez, Ricardo S. Chavez
Rated Not Rated

From Fernando Frias, starring Juan Daniel García Treviño, Emily May Jampel, Xueming Angelina Chen, Leo Zapata
Rated TV-MA

From Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky, José Legarreta, Alfonso Arau
Rated Not Rated

From Nele Wohlatz, starring Xiaobin Zhang, Saroj Kumar Malik, Mian Jiang, Nahuel Pérez Biscayart
Rated Not Rated

From Gaspar Antillo, starring Jorge Garcia, Lukas Vergara, Millaray Lobos, Luis Gnecco
Rated TV-MA