Bafici turns 25 and establishes itself as a bastion of culture: the complete program

He Bafici, Buenos Aires Independent Film Festivalturns 25 years old and will exhibit 260 titles in 500 functions between the Wednesday, April 17 and Sunday, April 28. It is an emblem of the local film production and an example of the thriving movement of filmmakers and captive audiences. Because it is a City festival that added private support, creating a state-private hybrid, it does not suffer drastic cuts in culture, although it is still framed in the critical situation that culture is going through at the country level.

In fact, the threat of closure of the INCAA Space Gaumont Cinema is avoided for the moment taking into account that the Leonardo Favio and María Luisa Bemberg rooms are to date confirmed as screening venues and meeting points. It is worth remembering that this blow to culture is not only the responsibility of theater, film, music and other expressions of art but also of an entire people who, if they do not have these art options, are deprived of access to culture and limited to what that private companies want or can offer. Culture is something that belongs to the people and not only to its makers, food for the intellect and the soul.

Argentina reached a place of excellence in theater, cinema, music and other expressions, turning them into incipient cultural industries that provide work and excite, amuse and entertain people. Without being Europe, Argentina managed to climb in these areas over the decades and if the budget for its development was indiscriminately cut, it would become inferior to so many countries that do not consider culture an essential value. In fact, in the official rooms of the CTBA there are many reruns while the new releases are much less than in previous years. The same goes for the Teatro Cervantes, which will have much fewer premieres than expected because “there’s no money”. Several were postponed to next year. In principle.

Bafici: the complete film program of the film festival

Going back to Baficithere are some previews of the programming, which will be finalized in these weeks, and it is known that the film that opens the festival is “School Privada Alfonsina Storni”, by Lucia Seles, award-winning filmmaker, musician and playwright, whose first appearance at festivals was in 2006, when she was still called Rocío Fernándes. She premiered “Mujer sin n destiny” in Mar del Plata and won the Award for Best National Film. Under that pseudonym she signed films such as “Baixo erotism” (2005) and “Dumbo 4” (2007), works that produced some controversy at said festival.

Other films that will be part of the Bafici are the novelties of Ruth Beckermann, Julio Bressane, Bruce LaBruce, Jonas Mekas, Alexander Kluge, Bruno Dumont and Cristi Puiu.

For the finale, “Fuck You, the last show” will be presented. Jose Luis Garciaa historical film with the recording of Luca Prodan and Sumo’s recitals.

Some films that will be part of the “Trajectory” section will be “Favoriten” by Ruth Beckermann, “Leme do destiny” by Julio Bressane“The Visitor” by Bruce LaBruce, “Requiem” by Jonas Mekas, “Cosmic Miniatures” by Alexander Kluge, “After a Good Day” by Néstor Frenkel, “L’Empire” by Bruno Dumont and “MMXX” by Cristi Puiu .

There will be a tribute to Jorge Polacodirected by Maria Oniswhich also has special screenings of some of his films such as “The Lady Returns” and “In the Name of the Son,” on the anniversary of his death.

Another tribute to Argentine cinema will come with the documentary about Eva Landeck Maldita Eva, directed by Pablo Spatolawhich will be accompanied by the screening of three short films recovered from the director: “Entremés”, “Extra Hours” and “El Empleo”.

Two of the titles that make up the “Rescates” section are Argentine films that have been in previous editions of the BAFICI such as “Tan de suddenly” by Diego Lerman and “The Possible Lives” of Sandra Gugliotta. In the international segment of “Rescates” you can see classics such as “After Hours” by Martin Scorsese and “Paris, Texas” by Wim Wenders in restored versions.

In the “Cinema About Cinema” section, there will be relatively new films such as “Godard par Godard” by Florence Platarets“Pandora’s Legacy” by Angela Christlieb on Georg Wilhelm Pabst, “Ken Jacobs – From Orchard Street to the Museum of Modern Art” by Fred Riedel“Ospina Cali Colombia” by Jorge de Carvalho and “Mentre parlavamo del fiume” on Lorenza Mazzettiof Carla Vestroni.

What will be the venues for Bafici 2024?

The Meeting Point will be located in the San Martin Theater, which will be the base venue for this edition, with functions in its Lugones hall and in both of the Cultural San Martín. It will be the space for consultation, exchange and belonging, both for the general public and for those accredited. It will have activities, classes and a cowork area for those accredited and, for the general public, a leisure area with a bar and an agenda of special activities. Another highlight this year will be the screenings at the Cinépolis theaters in Plaza Houssay, part of an initiative to work together between the public and private sectors.

The venues for this edition will be 13 in total: Teatro San Martín – Sala Lugones; The Cultural San Martín, Graciela Borges and Manuel Antín rooms; Cinépolis, Plaza Houssay, Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4; Cacodelphia Art Cinema, Rooms 1, 2 and 3; “Pablo Ducrós Hicken” Cinema Museum. Compared to last year, the venues of the Multiplex Monumental Lavalle, Lorca, Cosmos, the French Alliance, Arthaus and the Centro Cultural e Mayo will not be there. Tickets will cost 1,500 pesos and 1,200 for students and retirees, which can be purchased online starting April 9 at 10 on the new festival website or in person at the box office.