Washington, DC - GALA Hispanic Theatre is pleased to present its 6th annual international film festival, REEL TIME AT GALA. Running November 29 through December 3, 2017, the festival will screen eight films: seven contemporary films (most D.C. premieres) by directors who have garnered international attention, and one classic film with Mexico’s most iconic and beloved entertainers. The festival will include post-screening discussions with actors, directors and film experts and host several receptions.

Hugo Medrano, GALA’s co-founder and producing artistic director, says, “For the sixth year, GALA will showcase some of the best and recent films from Latin America in our popular film series, REEL TIME AT GALA.

The 2017 festival will include a popular Mexican classic as an homage to Pedro Infante’s 100th birthday plus seven contemporary films from Mexico, Chile, and the Dominican Republic that feature diverse narratives and styles. From compelling documentaries, to smart comedies, to powerful dramas, REEL TIME AT GALA has something for everyone in an intimate setting.”

The festival is curated by Carlos Gutiérrez, co-founder and executive director of Cinema Tropical in New York.

All films will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. The schedule is as follows (subject to change):

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017 (MEXICO) Two documentaries presented by The Immigration Film Fest, the Mexican Cultural Institute and the Embassy of Mexico.

 7:00 p.m. — REFUGIO/REFUGE Directed by Eloi Chavez and Mayra Caal Gaspar, 2015, 27 minutes, Documentary.

Through the eyes of Mayra, we learn about the lives in Mexico of Amalia and Roberto, two former refugees who fled on foot from Guatemala, and the process they have had to go through in order to reconstruct themselves, regardless of the trauma of the genocide perpetrated by the army warfare.

THE SALINAS PROJECT D.C. Premiere! Directed by Carolyn Brown, 2017, 47 minutes, Documentary.

One hour south of the wealthy Silicon Valley, and 20 minutes east of the affluent Carmel area, sits the city of Salinas. On the east side of the city, in the predominantly Latino neighborhood known as Alisal, poverty, deplorable housing conditions, and gang violence are a part of daily life. This film profiles several children of migrant farm workers living in Alisal. Without resources, and sometimes undocumented, their future looks uncertain yet they cling to the hope of a better life. In the face of adversity, the young people of Salinas strive to improve their social and economic realities by educating themselves and changing their lives, one generation at a time.

Post-film discussion with director Carolyn Brown.

FREE ADMISSION RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mexican-film-screenings-for-films-across-borders-tickets- 38782774322 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) 7:00 p.m.

— EL SITIO DE LOS SITIOS/SITE OF SITES D.C. Premiere! Directed by Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada, 2016, 61 minutes, Documentary/Comedy.

“Humans have significantly altered the natural world in a way that no other species has. In this film, an award-winner at the 2016 International Documentary Festival in Amsterdam, we witness one of the more obvious modes of this change: the creation of an artificial beach on a Caribbean resort. Alternating between semi-direct addresses to the camera and more intimate fly-on-the-wall moments, the film shows us the wealthy denizens of the resort—a beach bum actress, golfers—and the laborers who are reshaping the land for their benefit. Subtly teasing out the intersection of race, class, and environment, this documentary is not to be missed.” –Film Society of Lincoln Center

Post-film discussion with co-director Oriol Estrada. Reception hosted by Embassy of the Dominican Republic.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 (MEXICO) 7:00 p.m. — LA VIDA INMORAL DE LA PAREJA IDEAL/TALES OF AN IMMORAL COUPLE D.C. Premiere!

Directed by Manolo Caro, 2016, 91 minutes, Rated R, Comedy.

Starring Sebastián Aguirre, Ximena Romo, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Cecilia Suárez.

Lucio and Martina were lovers whose passionate romance began while attending a strict Catholic high school in Mexico. 25 years later, they run into each other and despite still sharing an undiminished love for one another they both pretend to be in happy marriages – even if it's all lies. As they try to maintain their facades, a comedy of errors ensues that reveals the true reasons why the couple ended up separating in the first place. Shot on location in Mexico’s picturesque San Miguel de Allende, Tales of an Immoral Couple became one of the top-grossing Mexican films of 2016. With a charming vivacity and a talented cast, the film offers U.S. audiences a great introduction to Manolo Caro, a director who deftly combines his artistry with comedy. Post-film discussion with film star (TBA). Reception hosted by the Embassy of Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Institute.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2017 (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC & CHILE) 4:00 p.m. — JEFFREY (Dominican Republic) D.C. Premiere! Directed by Yanillys Pérez, Dominican Republic/France, 2016, 78 minutes, Documentary. Winner of the Discovery Award for Best Film at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, Jeffrey is a heartwarming portrait of a young windshield washer who dreams of becoming a reggaeton singer but everything around him makes it impossible. This debut feature by Yanillys Pérez captures a reallife story of a boy trying his best to turn his dreams into reality. Post-film discussion with curator Carlos Gutiérrez.

7:00 p.m. — VIDA DE FAMILIA/FAMILY LIFE (Chile) Directed by Alicia Scherson and Cristián Jiménez, 2017, 80 minutes, Comedy.

Bruno and his family leave their Santiago home for a three-month visit to France. Bruno’s cousin Martín is left in charge of the house and cat. The cat goes missing, which leads Martín to meet Pachi. A romance begins, albeit one based on false pretenses: Martín claims the house is his, and that he’s a father and divorcé. Martín invents a whole new life—but what happens when real life comes back from holiday? Adapted by Alejandro Zambra from his own story, Family Life is the inspired collaboration of directors Alicia Scherson and Cristián Jiménez and received the top prize for Best Film at the 2017 Miami Film Festival. Post-film discussion with co-director Alicia Scherson and Roberto Brodsky, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Chile. Wine toast hosted by the Embassy of Chile.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2017 (MEXICO & CHILE) 4:00 p.m. — Homage to Pedro Infante on the Centennial of his Birth DOS TIPOS DE CUIDADO/TWO MISCHIEVOUS GUYS (Mexico) Directed by Ismael Rodríguez, 1953, Black & White, 123 minutes, Classic Film.

The film brings together two iconic Mexican entertainers, Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete. For Mexican audiences, the pairing might be on the scale of Elvis meets Sinatra. Infante was one of -more- Mexico's most popular stars ever, with 50 plus films to his credit and over 300 recorded songs. And Negrete's distinctive baritone propelled him across Latin America on tour, on screen and on radio. Both performers died relatively young; Negrete in 1953 and Infante in 1957. Dos Tipos de Cuidado was the only time they appeared together on screen, and was also the last feature Negrete starred in. They play two best friends who clash when one marries the girlfriend of the other. Post-film discussion with curator Carlos Gutiérrez.

Champagne toast/refreshments. 7:00 p.m. — JESÚS (Chile) D.C. Premiere! Directed by Fernando Guzzoni, Chile/France/Germany /Greece/Colombia, 2016, 85 minutes, Drama. Starring Nicolás Durán and Alejandro Goic. Based on true events, Fernando Guzzoni’s “raw and vital” (Village Voice) film follows 18-year-old Jesús, who is trapped in a cycle of drugs, sex, apathy and an obsession with violence. Living with his widower father, Hector, where the TV covers up their inability to communicate, doesn’t help. After his band loses a competition, he and his friends get drunk and head out, looking for a thrill. When they find it, violence ensues. Soon, the attack is national news and the police are searching for those responsible. Jesús has no choice but to turn to his father for help. But when the flesh of your flesh is rotten, will you go to any extent to protect it, or will you cut it loose? If this event makes Jesús and Hector closer than ever, it will also tear them apart. Nominated for Best Film at the 2016 San Sebastián Film Festival. Post-film discussion with curator Carlos Gutiérrez and Roberto Brodsky, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Chile.

Festival Closing.

TICKETS: General admission, $10; Festival Pass, $30. Purchase tickets online at www.galatheatre.org or at the door, or call (202) 234-7174. For Wednesday, November 29 only, RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mexican-film-screenings-for-films-across-borders-tickets- 38782774322

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Go to www.galatheatre.org or call (202) 234-7174.

LOCATION & PARKING: GALA Theatre is located at 3333 14th Street, NW in Columbia Heights. Unlimited parking is available for $4 after 5:00 p.m. in the Giant Food garage on Park Road NW p.m. You must have ticket stamped in the lobby of the theatre. GALA Theatre is also one block north of the Columbia Heights Metro on the Green and Yellow lines.

ACCESSIBILITY: GALA Theatre is wheelchair accessible with elevator to both lobby and theatre seating.

SUPPORTERS/SPONSORS: Anonymous Donor, Embassy of Mexico in the United States, Mexican Cultural Institute, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Embassy of Chile, and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Filmfest DC, Washington DC Film Society, and Women in Film & Video