Surprises at the 2012 Miami International Film Festival -

For my first Miami International Film Festival, I think I did it up pretty big. I saw nine films in 10 days and got to meet one of my favorite bands, Los Amigos Invisibles. I’m not going to spend any time talking about the films that actually won prizes, because apparently, I didn’t see any of them. But there were still some wonderful surprises.

One of my back-up films that surprised the hell out of me was Blood of My Blood, by Portuguese director Joao Canijo. The film follows a family living in cramped quarters on the outskirts of Lisbon. There’s the hard-working mom who would do anything to help her children. The daughter who is trying to accomplish her goals while carrying on an illicit affair with her professor. The drug-dealing son with a heart of gold. And the aunt who has to battle issues of health, beauty, and age.

I’m not going to give anything away, but at the end of the film, the crowd was stunned. The usual question-and-answer session was met with silence at the outset, while audience members tried to figure out what they just saw. It was jarring to see actress Anabela Moreira, who plays Aunt Ivete, looking stunning in a brightly patterned dress, after watching her endure so much on screen. “Blood of My Blood” is one powerful film, and it’s not to be missed.

MIFFBallot — At the end of the night “La Casa del Ritmo” received a 5.

Another standout of my festival experience was La Casa del Ritmo: A Film About Los Amigos Invisibles. You can read my preview of the documentary here. The film was utterly charming, funny, and entertaining. It received a standing ovation.

All of the band members were present (save guitarist Cheo/DJ Afro), and answered questions alongside director Javier Andrade, producers Juan Miguel Marin and Catalina Kulzar-Marin, and cinematographer Chris Teague. I got to meet, talk to, and take pictures with members of the group.

Needless to say, I tried to keep my composure, but I called my friend right after and breathlessly relayed how sweet they were, and OMG! the lead singer is really that hot! I was reduced to a teenaged girl. (Videos from the Q&A below.)

Here is a list of the movies I saw, and the score that each received.