76-89-03

You probably haven't heard of it. But nine years ago, Argentina had its own PULP FICTION. Only 20.000 people saw it in theaters, making it a minor hit. However, it's audience begun growing during the years, because of its surprising performances, cool shots and some of the most original dialgue ever seen (or heard) in a local movie.

Shot in furious black and white and directed by newcomers Flavio Nardini and Cristian bernard, no one was ready for this one. A black comedy full of action, jokes and over the top sexual situations was too much for some Argentinian critics, who dismissed the film as "chauvinist" and "cynical." It was neither.

76-89-03 is the story of three friends who try ... (more…)

By Nicanor Loreti and A. Guadalupe Cheja
(special thanks to Isela Vega)

Most likely, you've heard of him. But if you haven't, you surely are missing out on something amazing. Born in Chile but officially a "citizen of the world," Alejandro Jodorowsky is not only responsible for some of the most original and visually striking films of our time, but he's also a writer - for both comic books and novels - a shaman and a bon vivant. And that's not all.

After movies like the metaphysical western EL TOPO, the impressive delirium of THE HOLY MOUNTAIN or the colorful horrors of SANTA SANGRE, Jodorowsky has been busy writing novels and exploring his new creation: Psicomagia. What exactly is "psicomagia"... (more…)

More exciting news for you, lovers of the dark horrors of the South (South America, that is)! It turns out that last year here in Buenos Aires one screenplay won, unanimously, the prestigious award for "Best screenplay for a first feature," which means the INCAA (Film Institute of Argentina) will provide funding for the project. The film I'm discussing is EL TUNEL DE LOS HUESOS (roughly translated: TUNNEL OF BONES), and it's based on the true story of a group of convicts who, while escaping from prison through a tunnel they dug, discover human bones buried under the prison years earlier.

Written by Ignacio Garassino (who's also the director) and Daniel Martucci - with the collaboration of ... (more…)

Carlos Gallardo became known worldwide after starring in EL MARIACHI (1993), which became an instant cult classic and launched the career of its director, Robert Rodriguez. After having an interesting career as an actor and producer in the indie scene, he went back to work under Robert Rodriguez??(TM)s lead in his half of the Grindhouse experience, PLANET TERROR.

I remember being pleasantly surprised when EL MARIACHI opened here in Buenos Aires, and terribly disappointed when I found out Carlos was not the star in DESPERADO, its sequel (even though he had a really cool role as one of Mariachi??(TM)s sidekicks). Using the opening of PLANET TERROR here in Buenos Aires as an excuse, I tracked ... (more…)

Hi, folks. This month I'm gonna tell you about five upcoming films that will come out of South America in the next year. Some are in pre-production, some are in post-production, and some are already finished and awaiting their release all over the globe. All of the following movies promise to be original and interesting, and even if the budgets can vary, the talent doesn't. I promise to do a follow up article with more "south of the border" horror soon.

1. CALEUCHE: THE CALL OF THE SEA (Chile), directed by Jorge Olguin

Jorge Olguin was the first horror director to come out of Chile in decades. His films ANGEL NEGRO and ETERNAL BLOOD were distributed in the US on DVD and were hits in cinemas ... (more…)

PLAGA ZOMBIE: TOXIC REVOLUTION FROM ARGENTINA


Back in 1997, a group of 17-year-old friends from the town of Haedo, Argentina, created PLAGA ZOMBIE, a living dead comedy shot for just $187 on an old VHS camera. It turned out to be a revolutionary movie, which (four years later) spawned ZONA MUTANTE, a professional and bigger budget sequel that was picked up by Fangoria Video for its US release. That amazing double DVD edition was full of extras, and included a re-mastered version of Part 1 as an extra on a separate disc.

Now, four years after part two screened at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain and at Fantasia in Canada, Farsa Producciones is preparing the long awaited new sequel to PLAGA ... (more…)