World Language Films at Truax Library: Peliculas de Mexico

Rudo y Cursi.  (2008)  Mexico

Mexican half brothers Beto and Tato - who will eventually be appropriately nicknamed Rudo (rough) and Cursi (corny), respectively - have a typical love/hate relationship with each other. They both work on a banana plantation and live with their extended family consisting of their mother, abusive stepfather, sister Nadia, and Beto's wife Toña and their children. The family are rural peasant class and are barely making ends meet. The brother's fortunes change when into their lives comes Batuta, a soccer scout. Despite their advancing ages, both Beto and Tato are naturally gifted at soccer, Beto as a goaltender and Tato as a striker. Playing professionally has always been Beto's dream, although Tato has other professional thoughts on his mind. Batuta eventually recruits both for different teams in Mexico City. Beto and Tato's fortunes rise and fall, the falls based on those things which hold more passion for the brothers. For Tato, he loves fast women, specifically television spokes-model Maya, but he loves singing even more. He would give up his soccer career for one in Mexican country singing, if only he was any good at it. For Beto, his passion is gambling. Although Beto is up front and straightforward about most things in life, he would lie and cheat to hide his gambling problem and debts. They just have to keep these alternate passions in check to make their soccer lives lucrative ones.

Diarios de motocicleta.  (2004)  Mexico

The Motorcycle Diaries is an adaptation of a journal written by Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna when he was 23 years old. He and his friend, Alberto Granado are typical college students who, seeking fun and adventure before graduation, decide to travel across Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela in order to do their medical residency at a leper colony. Beginning as a buddy/road movie in which Ernesto and Alberto are looking for chicks, fun and adventure before they must grow up and have a more serious life. As is said in the film itself, it's about "two lives running parallel for a while." The two best friends start off with the same goals and aspirations, but by the time the film is over, it's clear what each man's destiny has become.

Lucia Lucia (La Hija del Canibal).  (2003)  Mexico

From the acclaimed New Wave of mexican filmmaking comes this offbeat comedic thriller starring Cecilia Roth.  A woman's search for her missing husband ignites a dangerous and unexpectedly romantic adventure.  It's a wild ride through the mysterious territory of identity, as Lucia finds herself in a triangle of love and friendship-with a reawakened passion for life that's different from anything she ever imagined!

El Crimen del Padre Amaro. (2002)  Mexico

A recently ordained priest is sent to help an aging priest run a small parish in rural Mexico.  Upon arriving at his new post, he meets a beatuful young woman with a religious passion that borders on obsession.  Quickly, her passion for her faith becomes helplessly entangled in a growing attraction to the new priest.  But when the handsome priest crosses the likne that separates temptation from sin, he finds himself torn between the divine and the carnal, the righteous and the unjust.

Y Tu Mama Tambien.  (2001)  Mexico

Julio and Tenoch are two teens ruled by raging hormones and a mission to consume exotic substances.  But one summer, the boys learn more about life than they bargain for when they set off on a wild cross-country trip with seductive, 28-year-old Luisa.  Both boys taste forbidden fruit as Luisa school then in the finer points of passion, but will their mutual desire for her destroy their frienship forever?

Fresa y chocolate.  (1994)  Cuba-Spain-Mexico

Robert Redford and Miramax Films proudly present Strawberry and Chocolate, the irresistible comedy treat that's received outstanding critical acclaim! Meet David -- a naive young college kid who's out on his own for the very first time. With the help of two extraordinary new friends, David soon learns everything there is to know about the things that aren't taught in school! Diego is the writer who teaches him about the passion of life ... and Nancy is the woman who teaches him about the passion of love! Nominated for the Academy Award(R) as Best Foreign Language Film in 1994, Strawberry and Chocolate  is a deliciously fun-filled celebration of life at its entertaining best!

Como agua para chocolate.  (1992) Mexico

In a forgotten Mexico Tita and Pedro fall in love, but are forbidden to marry. Mama Elena sees Tita's role as her caretaker for life - no youngest daughter has ever married and her daughter will not be the first to break tradition. Tita's heart breaks when her mother instead offers to Pedro her other daughter, and he accepts. Now they live in the same house, and Mama Elena cannot forbid their love as she did their marriage.

Voces Inocentes. (2004)  Mexico

A young boy, in an effort to have a normal childhood in 1980's El Salvador, is caught up in a dramatic fight for his life as he desperately tries to avoid the war which is raging all around him.

Amores Perros.  (2000)  Mexico

Three lives become inextricably linked in the wake of a terrible car crash: a young punk stumbles into the sinister underground world of dog fighting; an injured supermodel's pooch disappears into the apartment's floorboards; and an ex-radical turned hit man rescues a gunshot Rotweiler.  Discover why Amores Perros     is the best reviewed film of the year.

Los Olvidados.  (1950) Mexico

A group of juvenile delinquents live a violent and crime-filled life in the festering slums of Mexico and the morals of young Pedro are gradually corrupted and destroyed by the others...