Al Este film festival brings over 70 films from Europe, Asia, and Latin America to Peru

Lima, Peru will soon become a hub for global cinema as it hosts the 17th edition of the 'Al Este' international film festival. Scheduled from June 18 to 28, the event will showcase a diverse program of over 70 films hailing from Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Organizers describe the festival's theme as an invitation to view the world from its margins, using the figure of the monster as a central metaphor. This concept is intended to represent elements that provoke discomfort, challenge norms, and resist established ideas, while also serving as a lens to examine historical traumas, collective anxieties, and displaced identities.

The festival's competitive structure is divided into five official sections. The 'Al Este' Competition focuses on cinema from Central and Eastern Europe, while 'Primera Línea' highlights debut and sophomore films. 'Vidas Cruzadas' is dedicated to contemporary non-fiction, 'Perú Emergente' showcases national short films, and 'ExperimentAlEste' provides a platform for experimental Latin American cinema.

Notable films include Sergei Loznitsa's 'Inocente' (Dos fiscales), Agnieszka Holland's 'Zielona granica' (Franz), and Gastón Solnicki's 'The Souffleur'. Lucía Garibaldi's 'Un futuro brillante', a winner at the Tribeca Film Festival, and Tamara Stepanyan's acclaimed documentary 'Mis fantasmas armenios' are also featured. The 'Far East' section will present key works from contemporary Asian cinema, including a focus on Japanese master Shōhei Imamura, with screenings of classics like 'The Insect Woman,' 'The Ballad of Narayama,' and 'The Eel.'

Adding to the cinematic experience, several screenings will be presented in 35mm format, emphasizing the value of the theatrical and analog projection experience. The festival will also feature special events, including a cine-concert of the German expressionist classic 'Nosferatu' accompanied by live music from the Peruvian band El Jefazo. International guests include directors Tamara Stepanyan and Gastón Solnicki, Uruguayan director Lucía Garibaldi, Argentine filmmaker Herman Szwarcbart, and Chilean audiovisual artist Pepe Rovano.