Latin American cinema has grown and evolved greatly throughout history, along with social, economic and political factors that have profoundly influenced it. In the 70s and 80s, the military dictatorships that overtook some of the countries forced artists to keep quiet, or even go into exile. But once these dictatorships were over, Latin American cinema re-emerged stronger than ever before and with a new purpose: recounting all that was lived at the time. These were the main themes of the final decades of the 20th Century.
Of course, as a new century dawned, Latin American cinema embarked on a new direction and totally reinvented itself. Different trends emerged in every country, and many independent filmmakers were able to create a new collective identity to stand out on a global level. The 2000s also saw the debut of some of the greatest Latin American directors, such as Lucrecia Martel, the iconic Pablo Larraín, Claudia Llosa, and Carlos Reygadas, who contributed immensely to the industry with their films and their own distinctive style. This new way of approaching filmmaking also diversified the stories to be told, and allowed them to be presented in an unabashed way. The 2000s were marked by the emergence of films with a very strong identity, through which one can understand the history of Latin America. Filmmaking in these countries is still evolving and constantly changing, but there are classics that will stay forever embedded in their history. Let’s take a look at some of them.
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8 La Ciénaga
Wanda Films
The 2001 film La Ciénaga was the feature directorial debut of Lucrecia Martel, who also wrote the screenplay. This Argentine production was shot in the northwest region of the country, and features two cousins and their families: Mecha (Graciela Borges), wealthy and well-to-do, and Tali (Mercedes Morán), a middle-class woman. While their realities are very different, they are both, for different reasons, obsessed and falling apart. An unexpected accident ends up bringing both families together, as they have to share their day-to-day lives in the midst of a sweltering summer where nothing seems to happen, but everything is about to explode. La Ciénaga is a co-production between Argentina, Spain and France.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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7 Whisky
Control Z Films
This 2004 comedy is a co-production of Uruguay, Argentina, Spain and Germany, and is directed by Pablo Stoll and Juan Pablo Rebella. Whisky is centered around Jacobo (Andrés Pazos), the owner of a socks factory with an absolutely monotonous and mundane life. His relationship with Marta (Mirella Pascual), his trusted employee, is strictly work-related and surrounded by silence. But when his long-lost brother Herman (Jorge Bolani) pays a surprise visit, Jacobo seeks the help of his loyal employee to deal with this uncomfortable situation.
6 Y Tu Mamá También
20th Century Fox
Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón helmed Y Tu Mamá También, the 2001 road film starring Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, and Maribel Verdú. This Mexican film classic features Julio and Tenoch, two teenagers who are traveling to seek new experiences. While at a wedding they meet Luisa, a woman ten years older than them, who immediately grabs their attention. After ignoring them for a while, Luisa accepts their invitation to visit an isolated beach, an adventure that not only puts their friendship to the test, but marks their lives forever.
5 Amores Perros (Love’s a Bitch)
Nu Vision
In Mexico City, a fatal car accident ties together three different stories. One story features Octavio (Gael García Bernal), a young man who has decided to run away with Susana (Vanessa Bauche), his brother’s wife. In order to raise money, he gambles on dog fights using his pet, Cofi. Meanwhile, Daniel (Álvaro Guerrero) is planning to leave his family and run away with Valeria (Goya Toledo), a young model, but she suffers an accident on the day they decide to start their new life. Finally, there is the story of El Chivo (Emilio Echevarría), a former guerrilla fighter who has turned into a hitman that makes a terrible decision after losing touch with his daughter. The Mexican film Amores Perros was Alejandro González Iñárritu’s directorial debut, and takes part of The Death Trilogy along with 21 Gramos (21 Grams) and Babel.
4 Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens)
Buena Vista International
The 2000 film Nueve Reinas is one of the two features directed by Fabián Bielinsky, and stars Ricardo Darín, Gastón Pauls, and Leticia Brédice, among others. The production follows the story of Juan and Marcos, two Argentinean swindlers who meet unexpectedly and decide to join forces and work together. Soon, they get involved in a life-changing scheme in which they are to steal fake stamps for a millionaire to add to his collection. But they only have one day to carry out this theft, so they must be sharp in order to secure the loot.
3 El Laberinto Del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth)
Warner Bros. Pictures
2006 marked the release of El Laberinto Del Fauno, a Spanish-Mexican film directed by Guillermo del Toro that received worldwide acclaim. Starring Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Ariadna Gil, Doug Jones, Maribel Verdú, and Álex Angulo, the production is set in 1944 post-Civil War Spain and features a young girl named Ofelia and her mother, who travel to meet her new stepfather, Vidal. But this post-war story mixes with fantasy, as thanks to Pan the faun, Ofelia uncovers a big secret about herself: she is actually the last princess of her bloodline, and in order to go back to her kingdom she must overcome three tests to demonstrate that her soul is still intact.
2 Cidade de Deus (City of God)
Globo Films
Cidade de Deus is a Brazilian film based on real events (as outlined by BBC). It is inspired by Paulo Lins’ book of the same name, and directed by Fernando Meirelles. This 2002 production follows the lives of several residents of a dangerous shantytown in Rio de Janeiro over the course of almost 30 years. It presents the stories of several young people: from Buscapé, a vulnerable boy who wants to be a photographer, to Dadinho, a newcomer to the neighborhood who aspires to be a criminal like Cabeleira and his gang of gas truck thieves. Cidade de Deus stars Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva, and Jonathan Haagensen, among others.
1 El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes)
Haddock Films
El Secreto de Sus Ojos was the second Argentine film to win an Oscar for Best International Feature Film and one of the highest-grossing films in the country’s history. Directed by Juan José Campanella and based on the novel La Pregunta de Sus Ojos (The Question in Their Eyes) by Eduardo Sacheri, the film revolves around Benjamín (Ricardo Darín), an officer who has recently retired from his position at the Criminal Court. In order to occupy his days, he sets out to write a book about an old case of rape and murder that he was unable to solve 25 years ago and made him obsessed. But this case hides terrible secrets, and Benjamín finds himself immersed in a darkness that sets him adrift. Joining Darín in the cast are Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Guillermo Francella. Given the success of this production, an American remake was released in 2015, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts.
