Movies About Latino Culture

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

City of God is a 2002 crime drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. Set in the poverty-stricken slums of Rio de Janeiro, the film follows a young boy named Rocket as he navigates the dangerous criminal underworld of the City of God. Rocket is forced to choose between joining the local gang led by Li'l Zé and the peaceful life of his photographer friend. As the two worlds collide, Rocket watches as friends become enemies and violence becomes the norm. Through it all, Rocket learns the harsh reality of life in the City of God and the dangers that come with it.

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

"Pan's Labyrinth" is a 2006 Spanish-language fantasy drama film directed by Guillermo del Toro. Set in post-Civil War Spain, the film follows a young girl, Ofelia, and her pregnant mother, who have moved to a rural military outpost to live with her new stepfather, a sadistic captain in the Spanish military. Ofelia discovers a mysterious labyrinth in the woods, and is visited by a faun who tasks her with a series of dangerous and fantastic tasks in order to gain access to an ancient subterranean kingdom. Alongside her quest, Ofelia must also deal with the harsh reality of life in the military outpost and the struggle against the Falangist regime that dominates the region. With its magical elements and political context, the film is a powerful exploration of the fragility of innocence in a violent and oppressive world.

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 follows retired criminal court investigator Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darín) as he revisits a 25-year-old unsolved homicide case. After a chance meeting with the victim’s now-married daughter, Esposito re-examines the evidence that failed to convict the alleged murderer, and attempts to rekindle a relationship with Irene Menéndez Hastings (Soledad Villamil), a former colleague and unrequited love from his past. Through a series of flashbacks, Esposito gradually unravels the mystery of the long-forgotten case, and discovers the secret that was hidden in their eyes.

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

Wild Tales is an Argentinian dark comedy anthology film directed by Damián Szifron. The film consists of six separate stories all connected by a shared theme of retribution and revenge. From a bride that takes revenge on her cheating groom, to a waitress that exacts vengeance on a customer who short changes her, to a road rage incident that escalates to horrific levels, Wild Tales explores the darkest corners of human nature and the consequences of allowing our emotions to get the better of us. Through dark comedy and thrilling drama, Wild Tales is a powerful exploration of the human condition and a must-see for those looking for an original, thought-provoking and entertaining film.

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

The Motorcycle Diaries is a 2004 biopic directed by Walter Salles, based on the 1952 memoir of the same name by Ernesto “Che” Guevara. The film follows young Che Guevara on a road trip across South America that he set out on in 1952. Along the way, he and his best friend Alberto Granado encounter a range of people and cultures, and witness the poverty and injustice that exists in their continent. Through this journey, Guevara’s political and ideological beliefs start to take shape, eventually leading him to take part in the Cuban Revolution. The Motorcycle Diaries is a journey of self-discovery for Che, as well as a celebration of the people and culture of Latin America.

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

Embrace of the Serpent is an acclaimed 2015 film directed by Ciro Guerra and starring Nilbio Torres and Jan Bijvoet. Set in the Amazon jungle in the early 20th century, it follows two different stories that are woven together to reveal the consequences of colonization. The first story is of Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and the last survivor of his tribe, and Theo, a German scientist searching for a sacred plant. The second story follows Evan, an American explorer searching for the same plant 40 years later. As the two stories unfold, Karamakate and his companions embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment, while the two explorers are confronted with the devastating effects of colonization. Along the way, they all struggle to confront their own personal demons and restore balance to their lives. Ultimately, they come to a greater understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

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

The Holy Mountain is a surrealist fantasy film written and directed by Chilean-born filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky. Set in a mythical, dream-like world, the film follows the spiritual journey of a mysterious thief as he searches for enlightenment. Along the way, he meets eight spiritual masters who help him to seek out the Holy Mountain, a place where the gods reside and where one can find ultimate knowledge and enlightenment. The film is filled with surreal and bizarre imagery, as well as metaphysical, religious, and philosophical concepts. As the thief undergoes his spiritual transformation, he must confront his own mortality and inner desires in order to reach the mountain's peak. Ultimately, the film is an exploration of the sacred and profane, as well as a quest for self-realization.

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

Roma is a 2018 Spanish-language drama film written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Set in Mexico City in the early 1970s, the film follows a year in the life of a middle-class family and their live-in housekeeper, Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio). The film follows Cleo's daily routines and her relationship with the family as they experience everyday life, while also dealing with personal and social issues such as political unrest, racial tensions, and economic struggles. As the family's world begins to unravel, Cleo struggles to maintain her identity in the midst of all of the chaos. Roma is a deeply personal film that explores the themes of family, love, loss, and identity with poignancy and thoughtfulness.

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

Nostalgia for the Light is a 2010 Chilean documentary film directed by Patricio Guzmán. The film compares the efforts of astronomers as they search the depths of the universe for distant galaxies and of Chilean women who search the Atacama Desert for remains of family members who were “disappeared” during General Pinochet's military regime. Through interviews and footage of the desert, the film examines the relationship between memory and time, the power of remembering and forgetting, and the connections between political violence, astronomy, and archaeology.

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

Volver, directed by the acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, is a charming and humorous tale about love and family. The film follows a group of women from a small Spanish town, who have been affected by a tragedy in their past. The story follows Raimunda (Penelope Cruz), her sister Sole (Lola Dueñas), and her mother (Carmen Maura), as they cope with the stresses of life by relying on each other. As their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, the women must confront the ghosts of their past in order to find peace and closure. Along the way, they discover the power of love and family, and the strength that comes from being able to let go and move forward.

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

Buena Vista Social Club is a 1999 documentary film directed by Wim Wenders about the music of Cuba. The film follows American guitarist Ry Cooder as he travels to Cuba to bring together a group of the most respected musicians in the country, many of whom had not performed in years. Together, they make a record of traditional Cuban music, the Buena Vista Social Club album. The film features performances and interviews with the musicians, including Compay Segundo, Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Omara Portuondo. The documentary captures the joy and vitality of the Cuban musical tradition and the music these musicians created together.

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

Sidewalls is a romantic comedy set in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The film follows the lives of two neighbors, Martin (Javier Drolas) and Mariana (Pilar Lopez de Ayala). After a chance meeting, the two begin to form a connection, but their newfound affection is tested as they grapple with their respective romantic entanglements and the looming reality of potential loneliness. As the film progresses, Martin and Mariana's relationship intensifies and they explore what it means to be together in a city that is both beautiful and isolating. With its realistic portrayal of relationships, Sidewalls is a thought-provoking exploration of love and the search for connection in an urban setting.

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

The Devil's Miner is a 2005 documentary film about the life of 14-year-old Basilio Vargas and his 12-year-old brother Bernardino, who work in the dangerous and unregulated Bolivian silver mines. The film follows the brothers as they risk their lives working in the mines, often for more than 12 hours a day. In the face of poverty, Basilio and Bernardino venture hundreds of feet deep into the mines, where they are exposed to hazardous chemicals and extreme temperatures. Through their struggles, the boys gain insight into their indigenous culture and the plight of their people. The film also examines their faith in the spirit of the devil, which they believe protects them from danger. Ultimately, Basilio and Bernardino's story serves as a poignant reminder of the courage and resilience of the human spirit in the face of hardship.

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