University of Pittsburgh to Present "¿Puedo Hablar? May I Speak?"

PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Latin American Studies, Department of Hispanic Languages and Literatures, and Eduardo Lozano Latin American Library Collection, are sponsoring the Amigos del Cine Latinoamericano Film Series titled "New Millennium." All films in the series were produced in the past decade and focus on contemporary issues throughout Latin America, including Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, and Costa Rica.

"¿Puedo Hablar? May I Speak?" is a film about Hugo Chavez and the current political conflict in Venezuela. The film was made during the 2006 presidential campaign and offers its audience a snapshot portrait of the Venezuelan society at a crossroads; a re-elected president challenged by a mounting opposition. Filmmaker Chris Moore and his crew traveled to six different regions of Venezuela to film all facets of Venezuelan life from cities to pueblos. The trailer is available at http://www.sol-productions.org/.

The free public showing of the film, including an introduction by Moore and Pitt Professor of Hispanic Languages and Literatures John Beverley, will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday March 18, in 121 Lawrence Hall, 3942 Forbes Ave., Oakland. The film may not be appropriate for younger viewers.

Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with the director during a reception with light refreshments at 6:30 p.m., 1309 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. For more information on the March 18 event, contact Martha Mantilla at 412-648-7734 or martham@pitt.edu.

Visit http://amigosdelcinelatinoamericano2008.blogspot.com for more details on the other films in the New Millennium series.

The Center for Latin American Studies is part of the University Center for International Studies.

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3/12/08/tmw