For the second year in a row, the Dryden Theatre is partnering with the ¡Presente! Film Series to highlight the often-overlooked contributions Latin Americans have made to cinema worldwide. Both in front of and behind the camera, Latin-Americans have told us stories of family bliss, biblical epics, the macabre, tragedy, and their own integration into American culture, as reflected in this series. Viewing the films through the lens of the artists who brought them to life — Desi Arnaz, Ramon Novarro, Luis Valdez, Edward James Olmos, Raul Julia, Anthony Quinn, and more — take a brief journey through the last century of cinema in this series of five films, free to everyone.
Generously supported by the Monroe County Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Dates and Titles:
September 16: The Long, Long Trailer (Vincente Minnelli, US 1954, 96 min., 35mm)
September 22: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (Fred Niblo, US 1925, 140 min., 35mm)
October 7: Zoot Suit (Luis Valdez, US 1981, 103 min., DCP)
October 15: Addams Family Values (Barry Sonnenfeld, US 1993, 94 min., DCP)
October 21: La Strada (Federico Fellini, Italy 1954, 108 min., 35mm)
Events in this Series
La Strada (35mm) - Free to All!
Latin Cinematic Heritage The cinema of Fellini is marked by a passion for life often revealed in the glowing face of the director’s wife, Giulietta Masina, who stars here in one of his finest films. Masina is Gelsomina, a pantomime artist in the spirit of Chaplin, who, being sold to strongman Zampanò (Anthony Quinn), serves as his dutiful assistant and eventually develops a genuine affection for the brute.
Addams Family Values (DCP) - Free to All!
Latin Cinematic Heritage Legendary Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia returns as Gomez, the patriarch of the Addams family. After being reunited with his brother Fester (Christopher Lloyd), Gomez and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) have a third child. They hire a nanny, Debbie (Joan Cusack), to care for the child and to keep his older siblings, Wednesday and Puggsly (Christina Ricci and Jimmy Workman, respectively) from trying to murder him.
Zoot Suit (DCP) - Free to All!
Latin Cinematic Heritage Luis Valdez adapts his own stage production (the first Latin-American play on Broadway) into this striking film version. Edward James Olmos reprises his role from the stage as “El Pachuco,” the narrator of the film and the conscience of Henry Reyna (Daniel Valdez, also reprising his role).
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (35mm) - Free to All!
Silent Tuesdays | Latin Cinematic Heritage The most expensive spectacle of its time, this film tells the familiar story of Judah Ben-Hur (matinee idol Ramon Novarro) in the early days of Christianity. His wealthy family is persecuted for their faith by the Romans, including Judah’s childhood friend Messala.
The Long, Long Trailer (35mm) - Free to All!
Latin Film Series Capitalizing on the immense popularity of I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz teamed up for this very funny big screen color feature about a honeymoon vacation from hell.