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One of Netflix's top shows at the moment is the Mexican drama series The Accident. Many people are calling it one of the saddest shows they've ever watched, which given the plot, makes sense. It's a 10-part series revolving around the aftermath of a children's birthday party gone wrong. When a gush of wind sweeps up a bouncy house filled with kids at a birthday party, it causes the death of three children. This tragic accident changes the lives of a close-knit community forever.

Klych López and Gracia Querejeta directed the episodes for the show from scripts written by Leonardo Padrón. You might recognize some of the cast from previous projects, such as Alberto Guerra, who is best known for starring as Darío Sepúlveda in the Netflix crime drama series Griselda. Ana Claudia Talancón, Sebastian Martínez, Eréndira Ibarra, Shaní Lozano, Silverio Palacios, Erick Elías, Erik Hayser, Valentina Acosta, Macarena García Romero,...

TelevisaUnivision is putting the polish on ViX+ for the premium streamer’s debut next month — and will try to persuade Spanish-speaking audiences to pay for another service in their monthly mix.

The Hispanic programming powerhouse, formed through the merger of Univision and Televisa, is launching ViX+ on July 21 in the U.S and across Latin America. Its will cost 6.99 per month in the U.S. and MX119 per month in Mexico.

TelevisaUnivision touts its entry into the premium streaming wars as the biggest dedicated Spanish-language service in the market: ViX+ is slated to feature more than 10,000 hours of ad-free entertainment programming in its first year and up to 7,000 hours of live sports, including live soccer matches and coverage in the U.S. and Mexico of world’s top leagues and tournaments.

ViX+ will include more than 70 original series and movies in the first year. Originals available at launch include premium series “María Félix,...

The eighth annual Hola Mexican Film Festival, presented by DishLATINO, the largest festival of cinema outside of Mexico, today announced a partial lineup of the 2016 festival schedule including opening and closing nights and four special showcase presentations. The festival runs May 13-22 with all screenings taking place at the Regal La Live Stadium 14 Theatre, except for closing night which will be at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

This year’s festival will open with "Thin Yellow Line" (La Delgada Linea Amarilla) nominated for 14 Premios Ariel Awards (Mexico’s “Oscars”). The film is a story of smooth roads and bumpy rides, with unexpected twists and turns... like life itself. Directed by Celso R. Garcia, the film stars Damián Alcazar, Joaquín Cosio, Silverio Palacios, Gustavo Sánchez Parra. Confirmed to attend the premiere are Cosio and Palacios as well as other special guests.

Additional showcase screenings include "We Fulfill Your Dreams" (Ilusiones S.A.) directed by Roberto Girault and starring Jaime Camil, Adriana Louvier, Silvia Mariscal on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 Pm and "Mr. Pig" with star Danny Glover to attend, on Thursday, May 19, at 7:00 Pm.

Closing the festival on Sunday, May 22 is "Panoramas," a unique and introspective look inside one of Latin America's top alternative-rock music acts, Zoé. Members of band Zoé will attend and perform a DJ set. This special event screening will take place at La Plaza Cultura y Artes Theatre located at 501 N. Main Street, downtown Los Angeles.

Also this year marks the first time that films from a country outside of Mexico will be shown with special presentations of two films from Chile – "Sin Filtro" and "El Bosque de Karadima"

Opening Night Premiere – Friday, May 13 at 7:00 Pm

Regal La Live Stadium 14

"The Thin Yellow Line" (La Delgada Linea Amarilla)

Dir. Celso R. Garcia

Cast: Damián Alcazar, Joaquín Cosio, Silverio Palacios, Gustavo Sánchez Parra

Mexico 2015, 95 Min

Five men are hired to paint the yellow line of a road that will link two forgotten towns in Mexico. With less than 2 weeks to cover over 200 kilometers aboard a '76 pick-up truck, they will discover that painting at a speed of 1 km/hour will teach them about the lines between good and evil, laughter and despair, life and death. The challenges they face will change their lives forever. The Thin Yellow Line is a story of smooth roads and bumpy rides, with unexpected twists and turns... like life itself.

Closing Night Premiere – Sunday, May 22 At 7:00 Pm

La Plaza Cultura y Artes theatre located at 501 N. Main Street, downtown Los Angeles.

"Panoramas"

Dir. Rodrigo Guardiola y Gabriel Cruz Rivas

Cast: Zoé

Mexico 2016, 90 Min

A unique and introspective look inside one of Latin America's top alternative-rock music acts, Zoé. “Panoramas” is a Cinéma Vérité-style portrait of Zoé that takes you on a contemplative audio/visual journey through some of the band's most decisive moments. A film crew accompanies the band during a two-year period to provide us with an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the band’s longest international tour to date, in their first real shot at becoming well-known and "making it big" outside their home country of México. The 15-year artistic career of Zoé completes its growth-cycle and reaches full circle as the musicians arrive at the quintessential question all bands face: What's next?

MÉXico Now

"We Fulfill Your Dreams" (Ilusiones S.A.)

Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Roberto Girault

Cast: Jaime Camil, Adriana Louvier, Silvia Mariscal

Mexico 2015, 90 Min

"We Fulfill Your Dreams" is a company that makes fantasies come to life. Made up of a group of actors and led by a ‘Director' (Jaime Camil), they create set-ups to re-enact real-life circumstances for the good of people.

For their latest job, they are hired by Mr. Balboa to spend a week in the roles of a long-gone loving grandson and his wife. Portrayed as an angel to his grandmother through fictitious letters created by the elderly Mr. Balboa, the young man has in reality become a villainous character. But things go awry for actors Mauricio and Isabel when the real grandson turns up for a show-down with his grandparents.

"Mr. Pig"

Thursday, May 19 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Diego Luna

Cast: Danny Glover, Maya Rudolph, Jose Maria Yazpik

Mexico 2016, 100 Min

Ambrose Eubanks (Danny Glover), is an old-school pig farmer from California. After the family farm is foreclosed, he sets off with Howard, his beloved (and very large) pig, on a road trip to Mexico.

Ambrose must figure out how to smuggle "Howie" across the border and find him a new home.

"In Your Eyes" (A los Ojos)

Friday, May 20 at 7:00 Pm and Saturday, May 21 at 1:00 Pm

Dir. Victoria Franco y Michel Franco

Cast: Mónica del Carmen, Omar Moreno, Benjamín Espinoza, Jacobo Najman

Mexico 2015, 96 Min

Monica is a social worker from Mexico City, a single mother whose child is suffering from a degenerative illness of the eyes. Having exhausted all other options, a corneal transplant is the child's only hope. Overwhelmed by the ineffectiveness of the health system and the scarcity of resources, Monica is driven to an extreme solution... Found within the world of the street children.

"The Aparicios" (Las Aparacio)

Sunday, May 15 at 4:30 Pm and Tuesday, May 17 at 9:00 Pm

Dir. Moisés Ortiz - Urquidi

Cast: Ana De La Reguera, María Del Carmen Farías, Liz Gallardo, Eréndia Ibarra, Damián Alcazar, Joaquín Cosio, Paulina Gaitán y Tenoch Huerta

México 2016,

The Aparicios are a family made up entirely of women, all cursed to become widows and to never bear male children. At their ranch in Xico, in the state of Veracruz, they discover the body of the first husband of an Aparicio woman. This leads the Aparicios to search their past in an attempt to end the ancient curse, and finally face their present

"Parallel Roads" (Rumbos Paralelos)

Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Rafael Montero

Cast: Ludwika Paleta, Iliana Fox, Michel Brown, Arturo Barba

Mexico 2016,

(Film in Spanish, no English subtitles)

Rumbos Paralelos (Parallel Roads) tells the emotional story of two young mothers whose lives change unexpectedly.

Silvia must suddenly confront both her son’s illness and the abrupt discovery that she is not his biological mother. Desperate to find a donor for a life-saving kidney transplant, Silvia will seek out Gaby, the child's true biological mother. The following actions will put the power of maternity to the test and challenge life as a whole. Are family ties made out of love? Or are they carried in our blood?

"Paradise Lost" (Paraiso Perdido)

Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Humberto Hinojosa

Cast: Ana Claudia Talancón, Iván Sanchez, Andrés Almeida

México 2016, 87 Min

Three friends are traveling by sailboat through Caribbean waters, when they come across a deserted paradise island and decide to explore it. What was supposed to be one of the best weekends of their lives will turn into a tireless fight for survival when they discover the island's hidden secret.

"She is Ramona" (Ella es Ramona)

Saturday, May 14 at 9:00 Pm and Monday, May 16 at 5:00 Pm

Dir. Hugo Rodriguez

Cast: Andrea Ortega Lee, Daniel Giménez Cacho, María Rojo, Leticia Huijara

México 2015, 83 Min

Ramona is overweight, with too many kilos and not enough luck. She remembers a childhood as the victim of abuse at the hands of her mother, her sister, and even her friends. She was Big Belly Ramona, Big Eater Ramona, Ramona the Pig. Now an adult, things aren't looking much better. Her life seems to be crumbling. She gets fired for being fat; when she seeks liposuction, her doctor rejects as a candidate for the procedure because she is too overweight. Things begin falling into place, however, when she stumbles across a Tarot café which sells the magic beetles that will change her life.

"Elvira, I would Give You my Life, but I’m Using It" (Elvira, Te Daria Mi Vida Pero La Estoy Usando)

Thursday, May 19 at 9:00 Pm

Dir. Manolo Caro

Cast: Cecilia Suárez, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Vanessa Bauche

Mexico 2015, 108 Min

Gustavo, husband of Elvira, goes out one night to buy cigarettes, never to return. Elvira, a 40-year-old mother of two, begins a relentless search for the love of her life. Clues lead her to the conclusion that her husband has kept a secret relationship. The unfortunate discovery will not stop Elvira in her mission of finding him.

"The Chosen Ones" (Las Elegidas)

Friday, May 20 at 9:00 Pm

Dir. David Pablos

Cast: Nancy Talamantes, Óscar Torres

Mexico 2015, 105 Min

Sofia, 14 years old, is in love with Ulises. Because of him, in spite of him, she is forced into a prostitution ring in Mexico. To set her free, Ulises will have to find another girl to replace her...

New Voices

"Leaf Blower" (Sopladora de Hojas)

Saturday, May 14 at 2:00 Pm, Monday, May 16 at 9:30 Pm and Friday, May 20 at 5:00 Pm

Dir. Alejandro Iglesias

Cast: Francisco Rueda, Alejandro Guerrero, Fabrizio Santini

Mexico 2015, 96 Min

Lucas, Emilio and Rubén are three friends united in a special quest: to find a set of lost keys in a pile of dead leaves. What appears to be a simple task will turn into a profound journey that forces the teenagers to confront their fears: of letting go of the past, of facing embarrassing truths, of taking risks... Of growing up. This afternoon, as trivial as it may sound, could change the course of their lives. Or maybe not.

"Amir"

Saturday, May 14 at 4:00 Pm and Thursday, May 19 at 5:00 Pm

Dir. José Paredes

Cast: Jorge Guevara, Tania Niebla y Lirio Karina

Mexico 2015, 90 Min

Amir, an aspiring musician, finds himself drawn to Jeanette, a beautiful singer he meets during a night out on the town with his friends. The attraction complicates his relationship with his current girlfriend, Elizabeth, who is expecting his child. Amir will attempt to work out his feelings towards his newfound love interest, music and maturity, as adulthood forces him to make some challenging choices along the way.

"The Arrival of Conrado Sierra" (El Arribo de Conrado Sierra)

Friday, May 20 at 9:00 Pm

Dir. René Pereyra

Cast: Maite Perroni, Joaquín Cosío, Susana Dosamantes, Ana González, Rocío García, Jessica Mas

Mexico 2015, 120 Min

In 1940's "Torres Mochas" (the city of Torreón, Mexico), the widow Doña Josefina and her five spinster daughters await the arrival of a man aiming to marry the youngest of the sisters. The local townspeople, excited at the prospect of one of “Virgin Josefitas” finally marrying, prepare massive celebrations. When the mysterious suitor finally appears, circumstances take an unforeseen course.

For The Children

"The Adventures of Itzel and Sonia" (Las Aventuras de Itzel y Sonia)

Saturday, May 14 at 12:00 Pm

Dir. Fernanda Rivero

Cast: Arcelía Ramírez, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Joaquín Cosío, Bruno Bichir

Mexico 2016, 70 Min

This film was made as part of the “Cuéntamelo filmando” ("Tell it to me with the cameras rolling") workshop and was done with the support of 500 people from 10 rural communities in Mexico.

Itzel, an 8-year-old girl, and her best friend ‘Sonia the Frog’ will embark on a mission to find the guardians of the water, before the city's supply runs out. With the help of her grandmother, they will search in the most remote areas of Mexico, while a faceless being stalks them.

"By My Mustache" (Por Mis Bigotes)

Sunday, May 15 at 12:00 Pm

Dir. Manuel Carames

Cast: Jesus Ochoa, Santiago Torres, Fernando Becerril

Mexico 2015, 90 Min

Though it sounds unbelievable, little Ulises, at only nine years old, has grown an enormous mustache from one day to the next. So begins a series of extraordinary events for him, his mother and his best friends. From this moment forward, all of them, along with a cast of very curious characters, will find themselves caught up in a very hairy adventure.

Documentary

"Made in Bangkok"

Monday, May 16 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Flavio Florencio

Cast: Morgana Love

Mexico 2015, 75 Min

Morgana is a Mexican transgender opera singer with a relentless determination to assert her identity, despite having to fight against social stigma and family prejudice. Her dream is to have gender-reassignment surgery. Her only chance to make happen is by winning a beauty pageant in Bangkok, and use the $10,000 cash prize to pay for the surgery. The documentary embarks on Morgana’s journey with her, while providing us with an intimate portrait of what it is to construct a long-dreamt-of identity.

"Mexican Fighting" (Lucha Mexico)

Sunday, May 15 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Alexandria Hammond & Ian Markiewicz

Cast: 1000% Guapo, Blue Demon, Hijo Del Perro Aguayo, Tony Salazar, Arkangel

México / USA 103 Min

The ultimate look behind the mask, Lucha Mexico documents the joyous spectacle of Lucha Libre wrestling, which has thrilled Mexican fans for generations. The story follows "El 1000% Guapo" (1000% Handsome) Shocker, one of the most successful Luchadores of the modern era. His life is consumed by the need of being in the ring. A supporting cast of fan-favorites further reveal the world of Lucha Libre from the inside, with Blue Demon Jr. discussing life from behind a legendary mask; the violent history of El Hijo del Perro Aguayo (the Son of "The Dog" Aguayo); as well as veterans like Tony Salazar and Archangel, as they pass on the secrets of the ring to a new generation of fighters. These stars and others will shed light on the intense physical and emotional challenges they must constantly face in order to stand inside the ropes and thrill every last fan. With its unprecedented access to the top Lucha performers and promoters, as well as other players of this grand spectacle, Lucha Mexico steps into the ring to show us the great power behind the mask, and leads us straight to the beating heart of Mexico.

Hola Chile

"The Church Of Karadima" (El Bosque de Karadima)

Sunday, May 15 at 2:00 Pm and Tuesday, May 17 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Matías Lira

Cast: Benjamin Vicuña, Luis Gnecco, Ingrid Isensee

Chile 2015, 98 Min

Fernando Karadima, the pastor and leader of the most powerful Church of the Chilean upper class from the 1980's to 2000's, is considered a living saint. Thomas, a teenager in search of his vocation, finds himself drawn to Karadima and accepts him as a spiritual guide. For 20 years, Tommy will gradually be subjected to physical and psychological abuse by the priest, until he decides to speak out and confront both the charismatic priest and the power networks that protect him, finally uncovering the real Karadima hiding behind the investiture of God's representative on Earth.

"No Filter" (Sin Filtro)

Wednesday, May 18 at 9:00 Pm

Dir. Nicolás López

Cast: Paz Bascuñán, Ignacia Allamand, Paulo Brunei

Chile 2016, 100 Min

Pía is on the verge of a nervous breakdown: Her boss humiliates her, her husband ignores her, her stepson is disrespectful, and her best friend no longer listens to what she says.

Pía begins having strong chest pains and, after trying many different healing methods, decides to undergo an acupuncture treatment. The Chinese doctor discovers that Pía's pain is caused by repressed feelings, and, with an ancient technique, he "removes the filter". From now on, an uninhibited Pía will realize that the only way to heal herself is to speak everything that comes to mind - which won't always bring her the best results.

Nocturnal/Genre

"Barrancas"

Saturday, May 14 at 12 Midnight and Wednesday, May 18 at 5:00 Pm

Dir. Juan De La Peña

Cast: Diego Sánchez, Esteban De la Isla, Ana Lucía Camacho, Julia Dávalos, Eduardo Romo, Gustavo Gascón, Inés Vachez

Mexico 2016, 88 Min

The owner of a huge house in the woods, in the town of Barrancas, has a reputation for not paying his employees. When the latest housekeeper goes missing, everyone simply assumes that yet another employee has quit. Meanwhile, back in the city, the owner's nephew Mario is tasked with going to Barrancas to hand over the keys to the new caretaker. Young Mario thinks it’s a good idea to secretly invite his friends from college, as well as the girl he likes, out to the country house for a fun weekend. What Mario doesn’t know is that this may turn out to be a very dangerous idea indeed.

"The Similars" (Los Parecidos)

Sunday, May 15 at 9:30 Pm and Tuesday, May 17 at 5:00 Pm

Dir. Isaac Ezban

Cast: Gustavo Sánchez Parra, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Humberto Busto, Carmen Beato

Mexico 2015, 89 Min

In the rainy darkness of the early morning hours of October 2, 1968, eight people are waiting in a remote bus station in the middle of nowhere for the bus heading to Mexico City. They’ll soon find themselves experiencing a strange phenomenon.

For more information and ticket sales visit - http://holamexicoff.com...

Chicago – The 32nd edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival Kicks Off on Friday, April 8, 2016, with the Mexican film “Illusions S.A.” (“Illusiones S.A.”). All films are at the AMC River East 21 in Chicago.

This year’s festival promises another huge array of films originating from Latino countries all over the world, and runs from April 8th through the 21st. The kick-off film “Illusions S.A.” will be followed by a reception at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Chicago. For details and to purchase tickets click here.

’Illusions S.A.’ is the Opening Night Film at the 32ndst Chicago Latino Film Festival

Photo credit: Chicago Latino Film Festival

The Opening Night Capsule and the highlights of Week One are as follows…

Opening Night: “Illusions S.A.”

Starring Jaime Camil (“Jane the Virgin”) and set in Campeche, México in the 1950s, “Illusions S.A.” centers around an agency that turns your deepest fantasies,...

1975 saw the release of a Mexican film called Darker than the Night (Mas Negro que la Noche), which has just been remade not here in America, but rather over in Mexico. Well, that's a new one, am I right?!

Billed as Mexico’s initial live-action stereoscopic 3D movie, the remake of Carlos Enrique Taboada’s shock-fest is set for release sometime at the tail end of this year, and a trailer has just hit the net. It's loaded with spooky imagery so be sure to turn those lights off and check it out!

Written and directed by Henry Bedwell, the film stars Zuira Vega, Adriana Louvier, Erendira Ibarra, Ona Casamiquela, Margarita Saenz, Lucia Guilmain, and Josemaria Torre.

Synopsis

When four women move into an old house left by one woman's aunt, strange things begin to happen. Bizarre voices, visions of ghosts, and mysterious noises lead them to discover the darkest...

Director: Jack Zagha Kababie Writer(s): Jack Zagha Kababie, Enrique Chmelnik Starring: Adriana Louvier, Carlos Alberto Orozco, Carlos Aragon, Emilio Guerrero Angel (Carlos Alberto Orozco) is a mousy yet hardworking accountant and family man whose comfortable middle-class existence is turned upside down when he is unexpectedly laid off. Unable to communicate his lack of employment to his wife Claudia (Ariana Louvier), who is constantly distracted by her favorite telenovela, Angel scurries around the city fruitlessly searching for a new job, experiencing one ridiculous job interview after another. Fate eventually delivers Angel to the hideout of a merry band of buffoonish thieves with whom he discovers camaraderie and confidence...but still no income. Quickly revealed as the smartest of the lot, Angel conceives of the perfect crime: steal a lion from the city's zoo and collect a hefty ransom.

University of Texas alum and writer/director Jack Zagha Kababie makes his feature film debut at the Austin Film Festival this year with Adios Mundo Cruel (Goodbye Cruel World), a delightfully understated dark comedy from Mexico. Reminiscent of Jean Pierre-Jeunet's film Micmacs, the story focuses on an individual who through an unfortunate turn of events is pulled into a ragtag group of thieves and their world of crime. However, Adios Mundo Cruel is much more subtle and accessible to audiences who are able to identify to the main character's job situation and marriage woes.

Angel (Carlos Alberto Orozco) is a hard-working, mild-mannered accountant who wants nothing more than to provide for his family. His wife Claudia (Adriana Louvier) is content to stay home and watch soap operas all day -- so much so that any news of the day is about her favorite soap's character Luis Armando (Rafael Amaya). Unfortunately...