Film festivals and showcases are a great way to break away from mainstream films in theaters, but many still primarily feature movies filmed in English. If you’re looking to expand your cultural palate, look no further than the 47th annual Latin American Film Series at UWM, put together by The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
The series runs from March 31 to April 4 this year, and is a way for the community to see feature-length films from across Latin America and the Caribbean. “I think it’s a really important moment to be hearing Latin American stories firsthand, and to be really sharing conversations with our community about all these great films that we’ve been able to bring,” says Monica VanBladel, associate director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
This will be VanBladel’s second year with the film series, and she says the goal has always been to provide a free cultural experience and to bring these stories to the community. This year, she’s been working on the showcase with Kelsey Danielson, a student intern at the CLACS Center, as well as staff member Aimee Orndorf.
Argentina, Mexico and Brazil tend to dominate when it comes to feature length films in Latin American cinema, especially in recent years. For that reason, VanBladel explains that the showcase makes a point of bringing in films from countries whose film industries may not be as developed. “Part of the goal is to bring not only a diversity of countries, but also genres, topics, settings, cultures and languages,” she says.
The series is free for anyone to attend, and films will be shown at the Union Cinema, on the second floor of the UWM Student Union at 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Films will be played in their original language with English subtitles. Not all films are rated, and some may include mature content. Expect to see heartfelt depictions of drama, laughter and grief set in the urban centers of Mexico City and Cochabamba, the mountains of the Dominican Republic, Argentina’s pampas and all across the landscapes of Latin America.
2026 Lineup
The First Women (As Primerias)
Tuesday March 31, 7 P.M.
This documentary follows the lives of Brazilian soccer players that were discovered at a young age, and pressured to love a sport that doesn’t seem to love them back. Watch the trailer here.
The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be Quiet (El perro que no call)
Wednesday April 1, 7 P.M.
This light-hearted absurdist film follows the character Sebastián, exploring a life formed by work, chance and companionship. Watch the trailer here.
We Shall Not Be Moved (No nos moverán)
Thursday April 2, 7 P.M.
This film follows a retired lawyer named Socorro, who is obsessed with finding the soldier that killed her brother 60 years ago during the 1968 student protests in Mexico City’s Tlatelolco Square. You can watch the trailer here.
Gardenia Perfume (Perfume de gardenias)
Friday April 3, 7 P.M.
Isabel discovers she has a surprising gift for planning funerals, so she begins helping her neighbors transform loss into moments of humor and care. You can watch the trailer here.
The Visitor (El visitante)
Saturday April 4, 4 P.M.
Humberto is determined to reconnect with his teenage daughter, but he faces the silent judgement of her authoritative grandparents in his search for work and a sense of dignity. You can watch the trailer here.
Tiger (Tiguere)
Saturday April 4, 6 P.M.
This coming-of-age film explores what happens when Pablo is sent to a camp run by his father where strength is prized while fear is looked down upon. You can watch the trailer here.
Two post screening events will also take place: A discussion with UWM Professor Tami Williams on April 1 after the screening of “The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be Quiet (El perro que no call)” and a virtual Q&A with with director Pierre Saint-Marten Castellanos on April 2 after the screening of “We Shall Not Be Moved (No nos moverán).”
