New York -- The Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY) launches its second decade April 16-23 with a program of award-winning films, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions with noted international filmmakers, actors and producers. Forty highly anticipated and influential films from and about Latin America, the Caribbean and Latinos in the U.S. will be screened.
This year’s Festival has a variety of genres and themes from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, U.S. and Uruguay, ranging from comedy, thrillers, drama, film noir and children’s tales, as well as films and documentaries about the influence of music and dance.
On April 16th, HFFNY opens with the New York premiere of the Brazilian film, Veronica, 1 pm at the Quad Cinema, the Festival’s primary screening venue. In honor of the occasion the Consulate General of Brazil in New York will be providing refreshments. VERONICA, directed by Mauricio Farias. 2009. Brazil. Fiction. QUAD CINEMA APRIL 16 @ 1:00 PM & APRIL 19 @ 5:00 PM.
Veronica, a 40 years old teacher, works in a periphery poor school in Rio de Janeiro. One day, after class, Leandro, a seven year old kid is waiting for his parents by the school gate but they never come. She decides to take him home. Guided by him, she enters in the slum and discovers that his parents were killed by a gang. The boy's life is in danger. Veronica decides to protect him. She discovers a network of corruption and traffic power. The enemy is growing bigger and they are totally wrapped. The Opening Night Ceremony and Screening takes place at the New York Directors Guild Theatre, 110 West 57th Street, at 7 pm with the New York premiere of Los Dioses Rotos, the box office sensation and award-winning film by Cuban director Ernesto Daranas. Actress Silvia Aguila will present the film. For a complete schedule of events and venues, please log on to http://www.hffny.com