The world languages and cultures department will present the first screening in the Spanish Film Club series at 7 p.m. Thursday in Forum I of the Wright Administration Building.
Beginning with “Memories of My Father,” the series will showcase a film weekly on Thursdays from Sept. 26 through Oct. 24. Each screening will be preceded by a brief introduction and followed by a discussion.
The series is free and open to the public. All films will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles.
According to USI’s website, the Spanish Film Club series was made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts & culture and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain. Additional funding was provided by the USI Foundation, the College of Liberal Arts, the Center for International Programs and the Multicultural Center.
The series will include the following films:
“Memories of My Father”
“Memories of My Father,” a 2020 drama/history film directed by Fernando Trueba, will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday in Forum I of the Wright Administration Building.
Adapted from “Oblivion: A Memoir” by Héctor Abad Faciolince, “Memories of My Father” tells the story of Héctor Abad Gómez (Javier Cámara), a prominent Colombian doctor, professor and human rights activist. After a devastating death in the family, the film follows Gómez as he devotes himself to the cause of public health programs for the poor, risking his safety in the process.
“Los lobos”
“Los lobos,” a 2019 family drama film directed by Samuel Kishi Leopo, will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 in Forum I of the Wright Administration Building.
The film follows Lucía (Martha Reyes Arias) and her sons Max (Maximiliano Nájar Márquez) and Leo (Leonardo Nájar Márquez) following their immigration to Albuquerque, New Mexico. While waiting for their mother to come home from work, the boys build an imaginary world and dream about her promise of visiting Disneyland.
“Neither Hero nor Traitor”
“Neither Hero nor Traitor,” a 2020 drama film directed by Nicolás Savignone, will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 in Forum I of the Wright Administration Building.
Set in Argentina in 1982, “Neither Hero nor Traitor” follows Matías (Juan Grandinetti), a 19-year-old who has recently completed his military service and dreams of studying music in Spain, far from the dictatorship. At first, his problems come down to convincing his girlfriend to meet him there later and overcoming his father’s opposition, but his plans are suddenly disrupted when the Falklands War breaks out and he is called to fight.
“Carajita”
“Carajita,” a 2021 drama film directed by Silvinia Schnicer and Ulises Porra, will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 in Forum I of the Wright Administration Building.
The film follows Sara (Cecile van Welie), the pampered daughter of a corrupt oligarch, and her nanny Yarisa (Magnolia Nunez). Sara thinks of Yarisa as “part of the family,” and the pair have a “mother-daughter-like” relationship that seems to transcend their social standing. However, when Yarisa’s daughter goes missing, this illusion is tested, and Sara’s naive beliefs are challenged.
“Everybody Knows”
“Everybody Knows,” a 2018 mystery/crime drama film directed by Asghar Farhadi, will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 in Forum I of the Wright Administration Building.
The story follows Laura (Penélope Cruz), a Spanish woman living in Buenos Aires, as she returns to her hometown outside Madrid for a wedding. The mood is festive at first, but the reunion takes a dark turn when Laura’s daughter Irene (Carla Campra) goes missing and text messages arrive asking for ransom.