OLA Film Fest Goes On
Pictured above: Gael Garcia Bernal in “No”
Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island is carrying on a 17-year-long tradition by holding its annual film festival Nov. 13 and 14, with limited seating at the Parrish Art Museum and the Sag Harbor Cinema.
The festival opens at the Parrish Art Museum Friday, Nov. 13 with a screening of Pablo Larraín’s “No,” a story about the about the 1988 end of the regime of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
It will continue on Saturday, Nov. 14 with “Virus Tropical,” an animated film with some adult themes that is based on the work of graphic novelist PowerPaola. This will be one of the first public screenings at the Sag Harbor Cinema since it was rebuilt after the 2016 fire.
OLA will also hold premieres of two short films from Riverhead High School students who participated in the OLA Media Lab filmmaking and story-telling workshop series earlier this year. OLA offers this free workshop, led by filmmaker and educator Maria Maciak, yearly to area school districts.
All films will also be screened online.
“It was very important to us that we not cancel this film festival as it has grown to represent the shared experiences of our community members regardless of background or language. We need cultural bridges now more than ever,” says Minerva Perez, Executive Director of OLA. “The virtual platform was tricky to navigate, but our venue partners took the technological heavy lift for us, allowing us to focus on the film choices, the interviews, and the OLA Media Lab premiere of new student films.”
The Friday night screening of “No” opens with a 5:30 p.m. reception, followed by the screening at 6 p.m.
It’s a film with stark parallels to the current moment in the United States.
In 1988, Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet, due to international pressure, is forced to call a plebiscite (a direct vote of all the members of an electorate) on his presidency. The country will vote YES or NO to Pinochet extending his rule for another eight years.
Opposition leaders for the “No” vote persuade a brash young advertising executive, Rene Saavedra (Gael Garcia Bernal), to spearhead their campaign. With scant resources and under scrutiny by the despot‘s minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free.
Tickets are $20 for general admission or $10 for Parrish Members, and must be purchased in advance online at parrishart.org.
On Saturday, Nov. 14, Guild Hall will present an online screening of “Inside Out” from Walt Disney Studios, about an 11-year-old who navigates Anger and Fear and other negative emotions during a traumatic life event. The film is offered in Spanish with English subtitles. This film is free and only offered online. To register for a free link, visit guildhall.org.
“Virus Tropical” will be screened on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Sag Harbor Cinema at 7 p.m. This film is directed by Colombian filmmaker Santiago Caicedo. It features a teenager as she navigates her life between Ecuador and Colombia. This film is suggested for those age 13 and up. For tickets, visit www.sagharborcinema.org
Tickets must be purchased online through venue websites. If interested folks cannot access email or do not have access to credit cards: call OLA at 631.899.3441.
