Colombian film to open 14th Santo Domingo Film Festival

By Franz Comarazamy

Santo Domingo.– This year the Santo Domingo International Film Festival honors Colombia’s cinematographic industry and moves its headquarters to the Fine Arts Caribbean Cinemas at Novo-Centro.

The 14th Muestra Internacional de Cine de Santo Domingo will open March 14 with the screening of “Saluda al diablo de mi parte” (My Regards to the Devil), directed by Colombian brothers Juan F. and Carlos E. Orozco, a film about a former guerrilla who is reluctantly drawn into the vengeance scheme of one of his victims.

The event, officially sponsored by Mazola Oil, will showcase critically acclaimed films from Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ecuador, Taiwan, Cuba, Denmark, Spain, France, Iran, Italy, Japan, Peru, United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Poland, United States, Egypt, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

During a press conference, MercaSID business manager Jose Llano on behalf of the Mazola brand invited both consumers and movie lovers “to share precious moments exalting cultural entertainment. We can assure the excellent playlist will make every one enjoy a true feast of the best cinema.”

After providing the reporters with interesting and useful details, the festival organizers –Lidia Bastos, Felix Manuel Lora, Luis Jimenez and Hector Moreta– thanked the team that has made the event possible, especially the late Arturo Rodriguez Fernandez, director, writer, film critic and founder of the Muestra Internacional de Santo Domingo.

Among the personalities coming to this edition are renowned Spanish director Benito Zambrano, Vladimir Cruz and Jorge Perugorria (Cuban actors and directors), as well as directors Jan Kidawa-Blonski, Tania Hermida, Colbert García, Hernan Jimenez and Odin Salazar.

The Dominican film “La lucha de Ana” (Anna’s Struggle), directed by Bladimir Abud and starring Cheddy Garcia, is scheduled for the closing ceremony on March 24. The film tells the story of Anna, a flower seller who seeks justice for her murdered son.