For some people, a trip starts not when they pack their bags and leave to the airport, but when they decide on a destination and start planning the itinerary. One of the best ways to learn about a place is to learn its culture, whether it is from the internet, books, music or movies. At Breaking Trails we decided to make a top 5 of must-see best movies from South America and start immersing in these beautiful countries society, traditions and history.
- Whisky (2004) Juan Pablo Rebella & Pablo Stoll, Uruguay
When his long-lost brother resurfaces, Jacobo, desperate to prove his life has added up to something looks to scrounge up a wife. He turns to Marta, an employee at his sock factory, with whom he has a prickly relationship. The owner of a sock factory in Montevideo, and Marta, his employee, realize that their estranged relationship needs to change when Jacobo’s long-lost brother prompting them to pose as a married couple. (www.imdb.com)
- Machuca (2004) Andrés Word, Chile
Santiago, capital of Chile during the Marxist government of elected, highly controversial president Salvador Allende. Father McEnroe supports his leftist views by introducing a program at the prestigious “Colegio” (Catholic prep school) St. Patrick to allow free admission of some proletarian kids. One of them is Pedro Machuca, slum-raised son of the cleaning lady in Gonzalo Infante’s liberal-bourgeois home. Yet the new classmates become buddies, paradoxically protesting together as Gonzalo gets adopted by Pedro’s slum family and gang. But the adults spoil that too, not in the least when general Pinochet’s coup ousts Allende, and supporters such as McEnroe. (www.imdb.com)
- Contracorriente (2009) Javier Fuentes León, Perú
Peru’s nominee for best foreign-language film, Undertow (Contracorriente), is one of the small ones, but it has a big heart. The story centers on Miguel, who lives with his very pregnant wife in a tiny fishing village on the coast of Peru. Village life is simple and unhurried. When a fisherman dies, the whole town is at the funeral, hearing Miguel promise to “take care of the body, so God may take care of the spirit and ensure it doesn’t wander without rest.”
On the fringes of the funeral is a photographer — Santiago, a quiet, handsome outsider. To watch Miguel, you’d have no idea the two men knew each other. But after burying the fisherman at sea, before going home to his wife, Miguel veers off to meet Santiago in an abandoned building outside town, and they kiss. (www.npr.org | Bob Mondello)
- El secreto de sus ojos (2009) Juan José Campanella, Argentina
In 1999, retired Argentinian federal justice agent Benjamín Espósito is writing a novel, using an old closed case as the source material. That case is the brutal rape and murder of Liliana Coloto. In addition to seeing the extreme grief of the victim’s husband Ricardo Morales, Benjamín, his assistant Pablo Sandoval, and newly hired department chief Irene Menéndez-Hastings were personally affected by the case as Benjamín and Pablo tracked the killer, hence the reason why the unsatisfactory ending to the case has always bothered him. Despite the department already having two other suspects, Benjamín and Pablo ultimately were certain that a man named Isidoro Gómez is the real killer. Although he is aware that historical accuracy is not paramount for the novel, the process of revisiting the case is more an issue of closure for him. He tries to speak to the key players in the case, most specifically Irene… (www.imdb.com)
- Cidade de Deus (2002) Fernando Meirelles, Brazil
Brazil, 1960’s, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well…too well. 1970’s: Li’l Zé has prospered very well and owns the city. He causes violence and fear as he wipes out rival gangs without mercy. His best friend Bené is the only one to keep him on the good side of sanity. Rocket has watched these two gain power for years, and he wants no part of it. Yet he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980’s: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs…will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God. (www.imdb.com)
There are many more great movies from South America and many countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia or Venezuela have not been included in this top 5 but these are all great films and definitely deserve a spot in our Best movies from South America list.
