Editor

Chinese Take-Away, Sebastian Borenzstein's 2011 box-office hit staring Ricardo Darin, which achieved a million ticket sales in Argentina, will open London's first ARGENTINE FILM FESTIVAL, to be held at the Ritzy Picturehouse this coming April 19-22nd.

The festival, which aims to showcase the best contemporary cinema from and about Argentina, will screen a total of 8 award-winning films, and will also feature the UK premiere of four short films from Argentina's largely unknown silent film era.

Sofia Serbin de Skalon, the Festival's Director and Founder said: "We're very proud of our inaugural programme, which represents the cream of current Argentine film production. All of the films have received international recognition and awards, but they also tell universal stories that any Londoner can relate to, be they English or Spanish-speakers."

Clare Binns, Director of Programming and Acquisitions at City Screen - Picturehouse Cinemas commented: "We are truly delighted to host London's first Argentine Film Festival. Argentina is producing some fantastic films, and the Ritzy, with its long-standing history of alternative programming and its community spirit, is the perfect venue for this festival."

Programme information is available at http://www.argentinefilmfestival.com/  Tickets will be on sale as of March 19th via the Ritzy website http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Ritzy_Picturehouse/
 and Box Office: 0871 902 5739

FILM PROGRAMME IN DETAIL
Opening film: Chinese Take-Away (Un cuento chino)
Director/Screenwriter: Sebastián Borenzstein.

Ricardo Darin charms as the malcontent whose life is abruptly transformed when he's forced to take in a Chinese lodger in this endearing tale. Cast: Ricardo Darín, Muriel Santa Ana and Ignacio Huang. Winner Best Film, Audience Award, Rome Film Festival 2011.

Absent (Ausente)
Director/Sceenwriter: Marco Berger

Enigmatic gay drama weaves a mysterious web of lust, guilt and repression. Cast: Carlos Echevarria, Javier De Pietro, Antonella Costa. Winner of the Teddy Award, Berlin Film Festival 2011.

Back to Stay (Abrir puertas y ventanas)
Director/Screenwriter: Milagros Mumenthaler
      
A triple prizewinner at Locarno, this intimate story of three sisters coping with the death of their grandmother offers an original take on the coming of age tale. Cast: María Canale, Martina Juncadella, Ailín Sales, Julián Tello.

Caprichosos de San Telmo
Director/Screenwriter: Alison Murray
    

Carnival rhythms and bitter-sweet real life mark an affecting portrait of one of Buenos Aires's most colourful neighbourhoods. TIFF Buenos Aires City to City Selection 2011.

Las Acacias
Director: Pablo Giorgelli Screenwriter: Pablo Giorgelli, Salvador Roselli

Acclaimed road movie offers a beautifully performed, engrossing love story, in the finest tradition of New Argentine Cinema. Cast: Germán de Silva, Hebe Duarte Winner of the Camara D'Or at Cannes and the Sutherland Award at London Film Festival 2011.

The Last Summer of the Boyita (El último verano de la Boyita)
Director/Screenwriter: Julia Solomonoff

Executively produced by Pedro Almodóvar, this exquisitely shot feature is an exploration of burgeoning sexuality amidst the stunning backdrop of the Argentine countryside. Cast: Guadalupe Alonso, Nicolás Treise, Mirella Pascual.

Argentine Short Films from the Silent Era

Four short films, including one of the first tango comedies, offer a unique insight into early 20th century Argentina.
Newsreel Film Revisa Valle - 1926
My Sorrel Horse (Mi alazán tostao) - Director: Nelo Cosimi, 1923
Back To The Bulin (La vuelta al bulín) - Director: José A. Ferreyra, 1926
Creole Mosaic (Mosaico criollo) - Director: Eleuterio Iribarren, 1929

Closing Film: Medianeras
Director/Screenwriter: Gustavo Taretto

A romantic comedy with a nod to Woody Allen's Manhattan where boy fails to meet girl across the crowded cityscape of twenty-first century Buenos Aires. Cast: Pilar López de Ayala, Javier Drolas, Inés Efron.

Director's Showcase - The Mugger (El asaltante)
Director/Screenwriter: Pablo Fendrik.

 The London premiere of a gripping feature by one of the most dynamic directors of the New Argentine Cinema, that first premiered at Cannes Film Festival. Cast: Arturo Goetz, Bárbara Lombardo, Germán de Silva.

 http://www.argentinefilmfestival.com/