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Festival coverage

Viva

2011

Optical Illusions will screen at the festival
Optical Illusions will screen at the festival

This celebration of Spanish and Latin American film turns 17 in 2011. In conjunction with this year's festival there will be an exhibition - Biografias - from leading Colombian artist Oscar Muñoz. The festival runs at Manchester's Cornerhouse Cinema from March 5 to 27.

Other years (10)

Latest reviews

  • Elisa K
    Review preview for Elisa K

    The film is adapted from the book Elisa Kiseljak by Lolita Bosch and its origins hang like a millstone round its neck courtesy of ponderous and never-ending narration.

    Amber Wilkinson · 2.5 out of 5
    The effect of childhood abuse on a young girl, both at the time and in later life.
  • Fat People
    Review preview for Fat People

    That set-up sounds a bit overweight and it's true Arévalo might have been well-advised to trim it a little, but it's surprising how well he manouevres between the storylines drawing parallels and finding a wealth of tension and humour in each.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    Ensemble comedy drama, in which a slimming class self-help group find that weight is the least of their problems.
  • The Colours Of The Mountain
    Review preview for The Colours Of The Mountain

    Shot almost entirely from the children's perspective, Arbeláez tackles universal themes of conflict and its impact on ordinary people without getting mired in specific politics.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    A boy and his pals in a mountainside village find their lives under the threat of conflict.
  • Tear This Heart Out
    Review preview for Tear This Heart Out

    While everything looks fabulous and the narrative - based on the novel by Angeles Mastretta - is engaging to a point, there's a sense that we're only getting part of the story.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    Passionate melodrama set against the backdrop of post-Revolution Mexco.
  • Optical Illusions
    Review preview for Optical Illusions

    Jimenez has a playful attitude to these characters, although there are serious underlying issues concerning self-esteem and, more politically, the state of the Chilean healthcare system and notions of surveillance.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    The lives of a group of Chileans interconnect with absurdly comic consequences.
  • Sins Of My Father
    Review preview for Sins Of My Father

    Neither Entel nor Sebastian promote drugs as a lucrative trade - it may have made Escober millions but it ultimately cost him his life and ruined the lives of his loved ones.

    Leanne McGrath · 4 out of 5
    The story of Pablo Escobar - as recounted by his son and widow.