5th Latin American & Iberian Film Festival: Screening of Ixcanul

The Spanish and Portuguese Department invites you to the first evening of the 5th UCLA Latin American and Iberian Film Festival. This year we begin with a showing of Ixcanul (Volcano), which was selected as Guatemala’s first ever Best Foreign Language Film entry for the 88th Academy Awards.

Here is a link to the trailer, as well as a description of the film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxeOHyPo33A

The brilliant debut by Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante is a mesmerizing fusion of fact and fable, a dreamlike depiction of the daily lives of Kaqchikel speaking Mayans on a coffee plantation at the base of an active volcano. Immersing us in its characters customs and beliefs, Ixcanul chronicles with unblinking realism, a disappearing tradition and a disappearing people. Maria, a 17-year-old Mayan girl, lives and works with her parents on a coffee plantation in the foothills of an active volcano in Guatemala. An arranged marriage awaits her: her parents have promised her to Ignacio, the plantation overseer. But Maria doesn’t sit back and accept her destiny. Pepe, a young coffee cutter who plans to migrate to the USA becomes her possible way out. Maria seduces Pepe in order to run away with him, but after promises and clandestine meetings, Pepe takes off, leaving her pregnant, alone and in disgrace. (62min | Maya and Spanish with English Subtitles)

Free admission. First come, first served. Light snacks and refreshments will be served!