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.

26th September, 6.30pm

Road to Crime | Na senda do crime

Dir. Flamínio Bollini Cerri, Brazil ??, 1954, 71min.

Sergio works as a mere employee at his rich uncle’s bank, leading a wasteful life in nightclubs and dating the sophisticated starlet Margot. Unhappy with this situation and greedy, he joins a trio of burglars to rob wealthy homes, later becoming the gang’s leader. The first and unique Brazilian noir of the period, Road to Crime was produced by Vera Cruz Cinema Company, an attempt to copy the Hollywood studio system in the burgeoning São Paulo as the upcoming biggest and richest city in South America. The film displays the faster growth of São Paulo at its time on several skyscrapers under construction, including the iconic final scene. The copy to be shown at Ciné Lumière was especially digitised and subtitled for this occasion, thanks to the incredible work of Cinemateca Brasileira and Sociedade Amigos da Cinemateca.
 

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. 

With the support of Cinemateca Brasileira.