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Mexico at the crest of Latin wave at Oscars
Los Angeles, Mar 23: As preparations for the Academy Awards reach a fever pitch, some well-known Mexican actors and directors are getting their moment in the spotlight. The talent behind the smash hit `The Crime of Father Amaro` spoke to Reuters about their excitement at being recognized, other films nominated and about their own controversial picture.
Los Angeles, Mar 23: As preparations for the Academy Awards reach a fever pitch, some well-known Mexican actors and directors are getting their moment in the spotlight. The talent behind the smash hit 'The Crime of Father Amaro' spoke to Reuters about their excitement at being recognized, other films nominated and about their own controversial picture.
Mexican director Carlos Carrera has been enjoying a rare moment in the Hollywood spotlight, thanks to his picture's nomination in the Best Foreign Film category.
"I never thought we would have this recognition," said Carrera. "When we started with the project, we just did what we usually do with any other film. We were interested in telling a story, we never thought it would be such a big hit.
This is a movie where the main character is unpleasant and the end is not that happy, I never thought it would be a big hit."
'The Crime of Father Amaro' is the highest grossing film in Mexico's history, an emotionally charged drama about the corruption of power and faith in the Catholic church drove viewers to the theaters and many other to the streets of Mexico City to protest about the release of the film.
Lead actress Ana Claudia Talancon tells Reuters she feels gratified by the critical success that the film has gained worldwide. "I am really happy about this recognition of the quality content of the film," explained the actress. "Also because in Mexico there were a lot of rumors that the success of the film had to do with the controversy that was taking place. Some said it was a sin to go watch the movie and others just wanted to see a good film. I feel very happy that through the International Film Festivals the artistic quality of the films has been recognized."
Indeed, the Crime of Father Amaro was also nominated for the Golden Glove for Best Foreign Language Film and honored in top 5 Foreign Language Films of 2002 by the National Board of Review.
Other Latin films nominated for the Oscar are Frida, with 6 nominations, including best actress for Salma Hayek, Y Tu Mama Tambien, nominated for best screenplay and Talk to her, nominated for best screenplay and best director for Pedro Almodovar.
Director Carrera says that while he's please to see Mexican films succeeding, it would be a mistake to assume that the nominations are made with politics in mind, adding: "This year, the nominations for the Oscars have been a happy coincidence. A Hollywood film with a Mexican issue where many Mexican people worked and also the participation of two Mexican films that were a success, 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' and 'The Crime of Father Amaro.' You can see that for the last three years good things have been happening, first with 'Amores Perros,' 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' and then 'The Crime of Father Amaro' and 'Frida.'"
In any case, both Carrera and Talancon feel gratified that Latino voices are being heard worldwide.
Bureau Report
Lead actress Ana Claudia Talancon tells Reuters she feels gratified by the critical success that the film has gained worldwide. "I am really happy about this recognition of the quality content of the film," explained the actress. "Also because in Mexico there were a lot of rumors that the success of the film had to do with the controversy that was taking place. Some said it was a sin to go watch the movie and others just wanted to see a good film. I feel very happy that through the International Film Festivals the artistic quality of the films has been recognized."
Indeed, the Crime of Father Amaro was also nominated for the Golden Glove for Best Foreign Language Film and honored in top 5 Foreign Language Films of 2002 by the National Board of Review.
Other Latin films nominated for the Oscar are Frida, with 6 nominations, including best actress for Salma Hayek, Y Tu Mama Tambien, nominated for best screenplay and Talk to her, nominated for best screenplay and best director for Pedro Almodovar.
Director Carrera says that while he's please to see Mexican films succeeding, it would be a mistake to assume that the nominations are made with politics in mind, adding: "This year, the nominations for the Oscars have been a happy coincidence. A Hollywood film with a Mexican issue where many Mexican people worked and also the participation of two Mexican films that were a success, 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' and 'The Crime of Father Amaro.' You can see that for the last three years good things have been happening, first with 'Amores Perros,' 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' and then 'The Crime of Father Amaro' and 'Frida.'"
In any case, both Carrera and Talancon feel gratified that Latino voices are being heard worldwide.
Bureau Report