Guadalaja Meets The Gypsy King
By Stephen Ashton

Guadalaja, based in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, is host to what has become one of the most significant film events in Latin America, FICG or the International Cinema Festival of Guadalajara. The Festival runs from March 19-27, 2009.

Since its inception in 1986 it has grown from a showcase of Mexican Film to an important force in the film industries of Latin America and Spain. In addition to featuring new films from the ever surprising Mexican film world, the Festival this year, its 24th, will present a special Guadalajara International Prize to moviemaker and musician Emir Kusturica.

Born in Sarajevo in 1954, Kusturica made his first film in 1981 with “Do You Remember Dolly Bell?” The film won a Gold Lion at the Venice Film Festival. In 1985 he won a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival with his movie “When Father Was Away on Business,” which also garnered an Oscar Nomination as Best Foreign Film. Kustirica thrilled the Cannes Jury again in 1989 with his “Time of the Gypsies” which won him the Best Director Award.

He made his absurdist comedy “Arizona Dream” in the United and won a Gold Lion at the Venice Film Festival with “Black Cat, White Cat,” a comedy set once again in his favored Gypsy world. He follows with “Life is a Miracle,” “Promise Me This” and “Maradona”

Kusturica is an accomplished rock musician as well and will perform in Guadalajara with his band, TNSO, at Telmex Auditorium on Sunday, March 22, as a Festival Special Event.

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