The Bafici celebrates its ten years
Prepare your eyewash: from April the 8th to the 20th, the city will be taken by the tenth Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Buenos Aires (Bafici: International Festival of Independent Films of Buenos Aires). This festival is one of the great prides of the porteños because since its first edition, this event has presented rare movies, found forgotten jewel films, confirmed talented young film makers and made people be acquainted with the author’s works from all over the world.
From Mongolia to the Philippines and from Peru to Thailand, all the film works will be watched by spectators who are waiting to forget their own prejudices. Films at the official contest are always the author’s first or second works and the visiting young directors are usually surprised by the interest of the Argentine audience.
The festival of independent movies is also a great social occasion, ideal to see and be seen, to meet people, to “peep” at the humble stars of the indie world. Performances are accompanied by a series of parallel events which include round tables, discussions, lectures, public interviews and - as time goes by-, cocktails, concerts and parties. The presence of film-makers, actors and producers guests causes a cosmopolitan touch.
Advance tickets are for sale and, as every year, some of them sold out immediately such as the case of the rock movies, “Shine a light”, a documentary about the Rolling Stones by Martin Scorsese and “I´m not there” by Todd Haynes in homage to Bob Dylan. Tickets for Paranoid Park by the indie experienced Gus Van Sant and Argentine movies such as La Rabia by Albertina Carri and Los Paranoicos by the beginner Gabriel Medina have also been requested. However, it is possible to find tickets the same day of the performance if you go to the theatre early. There are many theatres involved in this festival, tickets cost $6, the recently recovered Teatro 25 de Mayo of the neighbourhood of Villa Urquiza takes part in this edition. For further information, http://www.bafici.gov.ar
If you have been to Bafici, what do you like about the festival?
If you have never been to this festival, which are your expectations? Which kind of movies would you like to find?
Abril 10, 2008 a las 15:08 Editar
I was amazed at the number of independent cinema fans that there are in BUenos Aires. GReat festival, way to go, portenos.
Abril 27, 2008 a las 20:23 Editar
Are there any movie theaters that show new releases in English, or is everything dubbed over?
Mayo 1, 2008 a las 1:03 Editar
Hello Simmons,
in Buenos Aires, most of movies are shown in their original language and with Spanish subtitles, except for special cases, like children movies, and even then you will probably find screenings of the original versions.
Thanks for your visit and your comment.