Latin-American Studies

When a young Fidel Castro rescued his friend, Father Llorente, from drowning, he said it was a miracle and prayed to the Virgin Mary. Gabriel Garcia Marquez once gave Castro a copy of Stoker's Dracula which kept him up all night. A witty, engaging collection of personal anecdotes offers new insight into the Cuban leader.

Deep in the Amazon rainforest, three cities form a unique triple border between three South American countries: Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Beautifully photographed, Lands examines the impact of borders, commerce and urbanization on the lives of the local and indigenous population as well as the surrounding ecology.

Most of us rarely think twice about being able to buy a fruit or vegetable at any time of year or season. Campesinos... We Will Inherit the Earth profiles three children in Central America whose farming families are responsible for sustainably growing products that are everyday staples in our society - and are available every day.

The story of a single mother forced to leave her ailing daughter in Bolivia in order to provide her with a better life is woven into the current debate over amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Winner of multiple awards at Latino film festivals, La Americana puts a human face on this timely and controversial issue.

A rich historical record of Chicano art, life and culture since WWII, A Life in Print profiles influential artist and printmaker Xavier Viramontes, founding member of Galeria de la Raza, whose iconoclastic silkscreen poster for the United Farmworkers rallied a nation and sparked the Chicano movement in art.

A look at one of the most controversial aspects of American immigration policy: family detention. The Least of These brings to light the troubling conditions inside the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, a former prison operated by a private corporation that is being used to house immigrant families.

A landmark seven-hour documentary series, The New Americans follows the lives of a diverse group of contemporary immigrants - from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, India, Nigeria and Palestine - to offer a kaleidoscopic picture of immigrant life in the U.S. Available for the first time in its entirety on DVD.

Don Quixote, Les Misérables, One Hundred Years of Solitude. The practice of reading classic works of literature to workers at cigar factories dates back to the mid-1800s. With a Stroke of the Chaveta explores this rich tradition that continues to flourish in Cuba.

2008 Academy Award® nominee for Best Documentary Short Subject, La Corona (The Crown) explores the lives of female contestants in an unusual beauty pageant at a high security prison in Bogotá, Colombia. The film addresses issues of female identity, sexuality, crime and equality.

Che Guevara died in Bolivia while trying to ignite the sparks of revolution. Forty years later, the country's first indigenous President, Evo Morales, is promising to continue his work. This documentary takes a closer look at the successes and failures of Morales' 'revolution.'

In 1998, judge Juan Guzman, a longtime Pinochet supporter, was assigned to prosecute the ex-Chilean dictator for human rights crimes. This engrossing documentary follows the twists and turns of this landmark case; one that influenced the application of human rights laws around the world.

What can the construction of a golf course in Mexico teach us about globalization? This disarmingly engaging documentary offers a primer on how 'free market' economics can distort both culture and the environment.

With unprecedented access to Cubans on both sides of the Florida Straits, Cuba: A Lifetime of Passion looks at the extant reality of the Cuban Revolution and its uncertain post-Castro future.

In 2006, Evo Morales became the first indigenous president of Bolivia - winning the election with the largest majority in the country's history. Hailed as "outstanding" by the New York Times, Cocalero is a captivating portrait of this controversial figure and his astonishing rise to power.

When the Argentine economy collapsed in 2001, even the comfortably middle-class suddenly found themselves struggling to survive. An Ordinary Family chronicles the experience of one family in Buenos Aires during this crisis.

From Buena Vista Social Club to Hollywood blockbusters, Havana's crumbling architecture has been romanticized in countless movies. But what about the people who must live in these buildings? A unique thought-provoking portrait of Havana's inhabited ruins and their curious blend of magic and decay.

Since 1962 the United States has imposed an economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. Bloqueo examines its effects, the reasons for its implementation, and why it has endured for so many decades.

Chagas, sometimes referred to as "the AIDS of the poor," is a disease that affects nearly 20 million people worldwide, kills nearly 50,000 per year, but is practically unknown to the general public.

A Sundance festival favorite, Crossing Arizona offers a far-reaching and up-to-the-moment look at the hotly debated issue of illegal immigration, as captured at America's current flashpoint - the Arizona border.

Re-released for 2020. Ever wonder why Jews and Rastafarians both use the Star of David and make references to Zion? This exuberant documentary explores the surprising connections between reggae culture and Judaism.