This September, Cinema Mentiré invites you to a showcase of the finest noir masterpieces from Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. Delve into the dark and mysterious worlds crafted by Latin American filmmakers who infused the global noir aesthetic with a unique local flavour. Featuring restored classics like Argentina’s The Bitter Stems, Mexico’s The Other One, and digitised for this occasion and screening for the first time in the UK, Brazil's Road to Crime. Taut and exciting, with perverse pleasures every step of the way, this season at Ciné Lumière is an opportunity to view these rare classics, and take a glimpse at Latin American contributions to the noir tradition.

6th September

The Bitter Stems | Los tallos amargos

Dir. Fernando Ayala, Argentina ??, 1956, 92min.

Buenos Aires reporter Alfredo, burdened by self-doubt, embarks on a venture with a mysterious Hungarian immigrant. Their scheme promises a quick escape from their troubles. However, as their operation flourishes, dark secrets and Alfredo’s growing paranoia threaten to unravel everything. The Bitter Stems is Ayala’s second film, and the American Cinematographer magazine named it one of the top 100 in film history. The film was rediscovered in 2014 and restored thanks to the Film Noir Foundation. Adding to its brilliance, the score is composed by the legendary Argentine musician Astor Piazzolla, offering a captivating soundscape that hints at the innovative work he would soon become known for.

The screening will be followed by a wine reception, kindly offered by the Embassy of Argentina in the UK, and an intimate bandoneon concert, with a spotlight on Piazzolla's work, by Argentinian bandoneonist Guillermo Willis.

Taut and exciting, with perverse pleasures every step of the way, How to Dispose of a Dead Body: A Taste of Latin American Noir, is an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich and diverse world of Latin American noir. Crime, double lives, secrets, tough cops, car chases, cold-blooded killers, mean city streets and deserted alleys, femme fatales and noble-fallen-woman types: it is all there, emphasised by the game of light and shadow and intricate plots of deadly adventures. These films not only demonstrate the global reach of the noir aesthetic but also highlight the unique cultural and social contexts of Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil during the 1940s and 1950s. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, do not miss the opportunity to explore these rare, restored classics in superb copies and appreciate the depth and breadth of Latin American contributions to the noir tradition.

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ABOUT CINEMA MENTIRÉ

Cinema Mentiré is a film club that brings diverse cinematic voices from Latin America to UK audiences by celebrating the work of classic and contemporary filmmakers. Sign up to our newsletter!

Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery.