- From November 25 to 30, the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage will make available to citizens a varied lineup – of more than 100 activities – with screenings in the Chilean Film Theater Network and other independent spaces. All information is available at Chile Culture.
Exclusive previews and re-releases of recent films applauded by the public and critics, film forums with part of the film-making teams and casts, school performances and for people with disabilities. All this is part of the activities with which the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage commemorates, from November 25 to 30, a new Chilean Cinema Day.
The calendar with more than 100 activities, available on the platform Chile Culturewill be deployed throughout all regions of the country, where the Chilean Film Theater Network and other independent spaces will have special screenings dedicated to national cinema, which will be free or with a charge of $1,000 depending on the venue.
“This Chilean Cinema Day we want to invite all citizens to enjoy a program that combines exclusive previews, free screenings, workshops, film forums and inclusive activities in independent spaces throughout the country. It is a unique opportunity to get closer to our memory and cultural diversity, making cinema a meeting point and reflection in every corner of Chile,” said the Minister of Cultures, Carolina Arredondo.
Chilean Cinema Day is commemorated every November 29 in memory of Carmen Bueno and Jorge Müller, a couple of filmmakers arrested and disappeared 50 years ago (1974).
More than 20 movies in theaters
This year the programming stands out for its thematic and format diversity, with more than 20 titles including national feature films and short films, which seek to connect with audiences in the different territories where the films will be exhibited. A way to bring cinema closer to citizens through stories that are close, entertaining and typical of the Chilean identity.
“We are filled with enthusiasm for the territorial deployment that this commemoration will have, since we will not only bring activities to the movie theaters that are part of the Network, from Arica to Coyhaique, but we have activated valuable alliances with spaces in communes where this type of contents do not usually arrive, such as Padre las Casas, Ninhue, Calle Larga, Cabildo, San Pedro de Atacama, among many others. Our goal is for the theaters to become meeting points in every corner of the country, bringing Chilean cinema to new audiences and communities,” said Daniela Fuentes Posada, general coordinator of the Film Theater Network.
Among the programming highlights the exhibition of the restored version of “In the shadow of the sun”directed by Silvio Caiozzi and Pablo Perelman. It was precisely at the avant premiere of this film, on November 29, 1974, when Carmen Bueno and Jorge Müller were last seen alive.
In addition, the commemoration will have exclusive previews among which are “The Hyperboreans”by the duo of Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña; and “The affections”a feature film directed by Aníbal Jofré and Diego Ayala (“Volantín Cortao”2013), starring Gastón Salgado. Titles that have managed to connect with the public in the last year will also be re-released, such as the comedy “History and geography” (2023), by Bernardo Quesney and starring Amparo Noguera and Catalina Saavedra, and “The Colonists” (2023), directed by Felipe Gálvez, winner of the international critics’ prize at the Cannes Festival.
For basic and secondary education students from different institutions in the country, the feature films will be shown “Fever” (2023), directed by Elisa Eliash; “Nahuel and the magic book” (2020), by Germán Acuña; and the national classic “Papelucho and the Martian” (2007), by Alejandro Rojas. Two short film programs will also be presented, one animated and the other family-oriented. Many of these functions will have mediation instances.
The children’s movie “Fever” and the feature film “Sunday” (2009), directed by Sebastián Silva, will be shown in performances for audiences with different abilities in accessible formats in the Esquina Retornable theaters in Antofagasta and Sala Cinecón de Constitución, respectively.
“Fever”, by Elisa Eliash “The Hyperboreans”, by Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña “Nahuel and the Magic Book”, by Germán Acuña
In total, 15 spaces associated with the Chilean Film Theater Network will be exhibiting the various titles, along with another 14 independent spaces in different communities in the country that joined this initiative.
Among the exhibition spaces associated with the Cinema Network are the MB2 Center in Arica; Returnable Corner in Antofagasta; Insomnia Teatro Condell in Valparaíso; CasaVerde in Los Andes; Nemesio Room in La Reina; National Cinematheque of Chile in Santiago; Alameda Art Center in Santiago; Room K in Maipú and Santiago; San Antonio Cultural Center in San Antonio; EXT UCM in Talca and Curicó; Cinecón Hall in Constitución; Cinema Club UACh in Valdivia; -1 CINEMA in Puerto Varas; Mafalda Mora Room. Diego Rivera Art House in Puerto Montt; Coyhaique Cultural Center in Coyhaique.
Likewise, the following joined this commemorative event: Cultural Center of the San Pedro de Atacama Culture and Tourism Foundation; Pedro Aguirre Cerda Cultural Center on Calle Larga; Quilpué Municipal Theater in Quilpué; UVM Cinema Club in Viña del Mar; Camilo Mori Cultural Center in El Quisco; Colchagua Film Series / Chimbarongo House of Culture in Chimbarongo; Chillán Municipal Cultural Center in Chillán; Ninhue Cultural Center in Ninhue; Yungay Municipal Library in Yungay; Padre de las Casas Cultural Center in Padre de las Casas; Ñuñoa Cinema Hall in Ñuñoa; and Cine CCC and Sala Cine UC in Santiago.
Complete programming available at Chile Culture y Cinema Network.
Chilean Cinema Day is organized by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage and produced by the Chilean Independent Cinema Network Guild Association.
A chance to reflect on the resilience of Chilean cinema and to celebrate its evolution over the years. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the artistic contributions of filmmakers in our country and the impact their work has had on both national and international stages.
1. First, please introduce yourselves and tell us about your roles in commemorating Chilean Cinema Day this year.
– Carolina Arredondo: Hello, I am Carolina Arredondo, the Minister of Cultures, Arts and Heritage for Chile. This year, we are very excited to celebrate Chilean Cinema Day with a variety of activities including exclusive previews, screenings, workshops, and forums that aim to bring cinema to every corner of our beautiful country.
– Daniela Fuentes Posada: Hello, I am Daniela Fuentes Posada, the general coordinator of the Chilean Film Theater Network. We are proud to be part of this year’s celebration by showcasing more than 20 titles in our theaters throughout the country, including restored classics and recent hits. It’s an honor to bring these stories to new audiences in both urban and rural areas.
2. Can you tell us about the types of activities planned for this year’s Chilean Cinema Day?
- Carolina Arredondo: We have a range of activities planned for everyone to enjoy, from exclusive previews of highly anticipated films to re-releases of classic movies. We’ll also have screenings for students, performances for people with disabilities, and film forums where audiences can engage with the filmmakers and actors. There’s something for everyone.
– Daniela Fuentes Posada: We’ll be showcasing more than 20 titles, including features and shorts, with diverse themes and formats. We’re particularly excited about the exclusive premiere of “The Hyperboreans” and the re-release of “History and Geography.” Additionally, we’ll have screenings in spaces that are not typically used for cinema, allowing us to reach new audiences in different communities.
3. What is the significance behind commemorating Chilean Cinema Day on November 29th?
– Carolina Arredondo: November 29th marks a tragic event in the history of Chilean cinema when Carmen Bueno and Jorge Müller, two prominent filmmakers, were taken from us. It’s a day to honor their lives and work, and also a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
– Daniela Fuentes Posada: For us, it’s
