Argentina

Tantalizing and sexy, cult director Eliseo Subiela's latest film explores the tantric possibilities of sexual imaginations and awakenings. This thoughtful film delves into mysticism and spirituality. When 19-year-old Eloy sleepwalks and crashes through the roof of a beautiful woman, Elvira, he discovers the tantric and therapeutic powers of the Kama Sutra of which she is an expert.

Studio: Peace Arch Home Entertain Release Date: 04/10/2007

This magnificent Argentinean film centers on Rafael (Ricardo Darín), a restaurateur whose life is becoming a knot of stress and failing relationships. When his father, Nino (Héctor Alterio), decides that after 44 years of marriage he wants to give his wife, Norma (Norma Aleandro), the church wedding she always wanted, Rafael scoffs; Norma has advanced Alzheimer's and doesn't recognize where she is or who's around her. After Rafael has a heart attack, he realizes he has to change his life--but when he makes changes, he discovers how much of his life he'd been taking for granted, and that he may have cast aside the very things he seeks. Son of the Bride is smartly and richly written, directed with generosity and precision, and full of astonishingly full performances. The story's full of clever touches, but it never lets cleverness overwhelm humanity. Simply a superb movie. --Bret Fetzer

Directed by and starring Enrique Pinyero, a former airline pilot and whistle-blower, this provocative docudrama examines the airlines' culpability following the crash of a poorly-maintained jet.

Lili's Apron is the darkly comic and touching love story of Ramón and his wife Lili, whose life together is dramatically impacted by Argentina's abrupt economic crisis.

When Ramón, a chef in a restaurant, is laid off and all efforts to find alternative income fail, their furniture is repossessed, their family life is disrupted, and Ramón must cope with his wife's nervous breakdown. Out of both a sense of responsibility and panic, he accepts a job in Lili's name--and clothes-- to serve as a maid to a rich family.

This is one of those rare political films that transcend politics with a stirring emotional story. Argentinean first-time director Luis Puenzo tells the story of a strong-willed teacher who tries to learn the true identity of her adopted daughter's father, coming to suspect that he was a political prisoner. Her political awakening is actually an emotional one as well because of her detached persona. Ironically, even though she is a teacher, she doesn't connect with people very well, thinking of history in the most abstract terms. But she learns the painful truth of present-day life. Tautly directed by Puenzo, The Official Story was a 1985 Oscar-winner for Best Foreign Film, with a riveting performance by Norma Aleandro. --Bill Desowitz

Released from serving a long prison sentence for the murder of his brothers, Vargas (Argentino Vargas) vanishes into the wilderness of the Argentine jungle, ostensibly to deliver a message to the daughter of an elderly inmate. During his odyssey, however, Vargas comes to pursue a bizarre agenda all his own. Lyrical and disturbing drama co-stars Francisco Dornez, Yolanda Galarza. 82 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Spanish; Subtitles: English. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Studio: Peace Arch Home Entertain Release Date: 04/10/2007

Nothing is going to stop Maria, Don Justo or Roberto from reaching San Julián, where Maria has been promised fame, Roberto foresees love and Don Justo seeks redemption. But getting there is no small task. With her little baby in tow, Maria hops on the bus, nervous about the journey ahead, but unwilling to let her chance to star on the popular game show "Multicolored Casino" slip away. For Don Justo, the journey to reunite with his long-lost friend Badface promises to be even more challenging, as he hits the road, trusting that the truckers he’s met through the years will stop to offer him a lift. In Roberto’s case, getting to San Julián isn’t the problem - it’s getting there by surprise, with a heartwarming gift, in the hope of of making a favorable impression on his secret love. Although the three neighbors begin their journeys separately, they encounter their share of detours along the way on the deserted routes, and their stories and dreams crisscross in seemingly free-form patterns at the most remote stopping points. In the end, Maria, Don Justo and Roberto will get more or less what they set out for, but it will come to them in ways that they never expected.