The Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies (LALACS) Program, in conjunction and sponsorship with the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) Program and Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (MLLC), hosted the 4th Gustavus Latinx Film Festival every Monday evening, from February 25 to March 25. The annual film festival, free to the Gustavus community and general public, was organized by Darío Sánchez-González, an Assistant Professor in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies; and LALACS at Gustavus. 
This year’s films follow a theme of being directed by women. When it comes to selection of films, Professor Sánchez-González states that “when it comes to this festival, I always take risks. Normally when I choose the films back in November, one of the rules is that they better be new. So in many cases I go and choose films that I’ve never watched”. The five films chosen represent a diverse range of languages, dialects, and countries, which demonstrate the bilingual realities that exist within our society; while individuals may be bilingual and speak Spanish, Portuguese, or another language, there are numerous dialects and origins that create a wide opportunity for diversity within the language as well as a more complex understanding of culture.
The first film, Tempestad (2016), is directed by Mexican director Tatiana Huezo and shown in Spanish. The second film, El futuro perfecto (2016), is an Argentinian film directed by Nele Wohlatz that is in both Spanish and Mandarin. The third film of Carla Símon’s Spanish film, Estiu 1993 (2017), is in Catalan. Que horas ela volta? (2015) is the Brazilian fourth film, directed by Anna Muylaert and presented in Portuguese. The final film, El techo (2017), is a Cuban film in Spanish and directed by Patricia Ramos. The thematic plots of the films vary, from the story of two women victims of human trafficking in Mexico in Tempestad, to the romantic comedy of El techo that tackles the contemporary problems that face Cuban youth.
The Latinx Film Festival benefits a wide variety of audiences. Gustavus sophomore Gracie Willaert, who attended the showing of Estiu 1993, stated that “the film festival was a great way for me and others to learn more about Latinx culture through more than just classes. Getting a perspective through different lenses is very important, and the film festival provides a great opportunity for that.” The showing of diverse films provides experiential cultural learning and engagement to students and community members alike, such as Emily Kretschmer, who saw Tempestad. She related the viewing to her travels in Mexico, and how the film helped her “arrive at a conceptual intersection…the one where beauty, cruelty and terror meet in Mexico” and appreciates the deeper intercultural understanding and perspective that the five films offer.
With such meaningful impact to young adult students and mature members of the community, the LALACS department and all of the co-sponsors of the festival are excited to see the legacy of the Latinx Film Festival continue on as it approaches its fifth year, and eagerly awaits new films and learning opportunities.
Hailey Concepción ‘21
Political Science, LALACS, Peace Studies
LALACS Academic Assistant
Gustie Greeter
Student Senate Academic Affairs Chair
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