The revelry of the Buenos Aires independent film festival may now have drawn to a close but those film junkies already worried about their prospects in the 50 weeks until the festival returns need not be concerned. BA offers enough cinematic fixes throughout the year to keep even the most hardened addicts from withdrawal. A host of other film festivals will be held during the year before the return of BAFICI and every self respecting cultural centre in the city runs varied ‘ciclos de cine‘.
Argentine cinema enjoyed a golden age in the 1930s and 40s, but was almost extinguished by dictatorship and economic crisis in the 70s and 80s. In the last 10-15 years, however, it has blossomed with an internationally respected selection of independent films. This broad movement, christened Nuevo Cine Argentino, became the country’s contribution to the Buena Onda or “good wave” cinematic revival that has washed across the continent since the late 1990s.
Film is deeply engrained in the culture and porteños take cinema seriously. Here the Indy offers you the Top 5 alternative cinema venues to catch the most interesting films showing in Buenos Aires.
1. Cine Club Mon Amour
Run as a non-profit enterprise by a pair of cinephiles who are believers in the old-fashioned communal film experience, Cine Club Mon Amour brings the ‘puerta cerrada‘ concept to cinema. To the outside world the only evidence of this magical little space is the handwritten words ‘Mon Amour’ on a buzzer next to a deceptively bland door in San Telmo. But providing you have made a reservation online, you can gain entry to the most intimate space to watch film in Buenos Aires. With only 38 seats, it is too small for you be able to get away with any actual intimacy un-noticed, but a love of cinema is heavy in the air.
Avoiding commercial releases, they choose to show a diverse selection of recent art-house films from Argentina, and all over the world. Along with frequent themed cycles, quite often the director will be present to introduce the film and stay around for Q&A. If there is no big name on hand, films are personally introduced by either Carlos or Guillermo, and at the end of the film, they help kick off a relaxed discussion about what has just been shown.
Love of film is clearly infectious, as Cine Club Mon Amour has grown, with a second screen in Recoleta, and now also offers a great series of workshops, from how to understand cinematography to Nuevo Cine Argentino and even Quentin Tarantino. They come highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about cinema.
Secret address in San Telmo. For more information, and to reserve, visit the website.
2. Malba
MALBA theater (Photo: Beatrice Murch)
One of the most influential galleries in South America, Malba plays host to the newest and hottest Latin American contemporary art, alongside thoughtful and engaging collections of 20th century art from all around the world. However, Malba also does a spot of moonlighting as the city’s most eclectic film venue. After dark, Malba’s secret cinephile comes out to play.
As with its gallery space, when it comes to film Malba seems able to switch effortlessly between new and old, known and unknown, Latin and international. Malba’s ciclos de cine have the ability to encapsulate the best Latin American contemporary cinema, re-contextualise directors and movements, or thoughtfully juxtapose seemingly unrelated films and unite them under abstract concepts. This ambition and visionary approach make Malba the city’s cinematic over-achiever.
Located at Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Palermo. For more information visit the website.
3. Expanish Spanish School
If you’re a non-native film fan and have become accustomed to being spoiled by BAFICI’s English-subtitled selection, you’ll be mourning the festival’s end. However, Microcentro-based language school Expanish saves the day with the next most accessible way for non-native Spanish-speakers to get into Latin American and Spanish cinema. Their film club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays offers a cycle of Spanish-subtitled films to cater to the vast group of foreign Spanish-speakers who would struggle to follow a whole feature film in castellano without the helping hand of subtitles.
Although it is mainly aimed at those wishing to improve their Spanish, even if you’re a porteño, or already possess the Spanish skills of one, it’s still well worth a look. The stellar selection of films represents a great slice of Spanish-language cinema and the price (it’s free), as well as the opportunity to have a relaxed chat at the end of the film, make this well worth while for everyone.
Located at Tte Gral Juan D Perón 700, Microcentro. For more information visit Expanish Spanish School website.
4. Gaumont/Espacio INCAA
INCAA on Rivadavia (Photo: Beatrice Murch)
The Gaumont, with its classic forties look and princely location on Plaza Congreso, has long been one of Buenos Aires’ most important cinemas. And Espacio INCAA, as it has become known since its takeover by Argentina’s National Institute for Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA), remains the best place in BA to catch new Argentine releases. It exists to give exhibition space to the varied array of films funded or supported by the INCAA, and so always offers a diverse selection to choose from. It also offers cheap tickets, especially if you’re a student, so even if your Spanish is not quite up to scratch, it’s still worth parting with a few pesos to see what Argentine cinema is all about.
The Gaumont is also the home of Cine Club Núcleo, the city’s most famous cinema club which was founded in 1952 and has been running at various locations around the city ever since. Its longevity and high regard for its selections, among critics and cinema-goers alike, has led it to be declared as a site of cultural interest by the city government. It shows a varied programme of festival prize-winners and intellectual crowd pleasers every Tuesday evening.
Located at Av. Rivadavia 1635, Congreso. For more information visit their website.
5. Anfiteatro Parque Centenario
Amphitheatre at Parque Centenario (Photo: Estrella Herrera)
If it’s not the sort of day to be cooped up in a dark windowless room but you’re still very much in the mood for a movie, Anfiteatro Parque Centenario is your best bet for a far less claustrophobic cinematic experience. There are far worse ways to spend a warm Saturday afternoon in the city than relaxing with a cerveza, or a maté, in one of biggest and liveliest parks. As the sun goes down, allow yourself to be treated to a free projection of anything from The Muppets to recent Argentine documentary in the park’s amphitheatre every Saturday throughout the year, weather permitting. The space also hosts theatre and other cultural events throughout the summer.
It also hosts theatre and other cultural events throughout the year. Check the calendar for the film schedule and a full list of other activities.
Located in Parque Centenario. For more information visit the website.
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