For its 22nd edition, ¡Viva! returns with a venue-wide celebration of Spanish and Latin American culture. For the first time we bring you a specially selected programme of the most exciting film and theatre from across the Spanish-speaking world. We have two weeks of great international performances, starting with two brand new works commissioned from Catalan theatre makers ATRESBANDES and Little Soldier, before we head to Cuba for a showcase of work by award-winning playwright Abel González Melo. The packed film programme features the best in new Spanish and Latin American filmmaking, presenting an exciting line-up including UK premieres from new and established directors from Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
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¡Viva! is presented with Instituto Cervantes (Manchester) and the Office for Cultural and Scientific Affairs, Embassy of Spain in the United Kingdom with the support of the BFI Film Festival Fund, awarding funds from The National Lottery.
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Previously in this Festival
Cinema
The Mansion of Madness
Leonora Carrington, 1917-2011, born and raised in Lancashire, was an integral part of the international surrealist movement of the 1930's; after London and Paris she settled…
Cinema
Desde allá
This powerful feature debut from Venezuelan writer-director Lorenzo Vigas is set in Caracas’ chaotic lower class communities. Wealthy middle-aged Armando lures young men to his…
Cinema
UK Premiere: Amama
After delighting ¡Viva! audiences in 2014 with his highly original Basque music documentary Bertsolari, Altuna returns with another beautiful and moving film, a poetic family…
Cinema
Magallanes
Universal themes of guilt, crime and punishment pervade this tense and intelligent drama about a man whose humdrum life is turned upside down the day…
Cinema
Carmín tropical
This beautifully shot film takes place in a sultry southern Mexico coastal town, where muxe – Zapotec culture's loosely defined third gender – are fully…
Cinema
Preview: El Abrazo de la serpiente
The third film from acclaimed Colombian director Ciro Guerra, who visited ¡Viva! in 2006 with La Sombra del caminante, has just become the first ever Colombian…
Cinema
Tres instantes de un Grito
A documentary journey following three moments of public outrage - one in Madrid, New York and Santiago.
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Apología /Antología: Video Itineraries through the Spanish Context (18)
This screening will include a subtitled presentation of a 30-minute documentary on Apología/Antología (A/A) - an online platform containing 250 freely accessible works of experimental moving image by…
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The Storming Reunion
Cast your minds back to just one year ago when we made a performance out of leaving Cornerhouse for HOME. From Panama but based in…
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Marsella Intro
The screening on Fri 15 Apr will be introduced by Abigail Loxham, University of Manchester.
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L’adopció Q&A
We will be joined by director Daniela Féjerman for a Q&A following the screening on Sun 17 Apr. Born in Argentina, Daniela Féjerman studied Psychology before becoming…
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Matar a un hombre post-screening discussion
Nicola Runciman from the University of Manchester joins us for a post-screening discussion following the screening on Tue 19 Apr.
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Carmín tropical Q&A
We will be joined by actor José Pescina for a Q&A following the screening on Mon 18 Apr.
Cinema
Matar a un hombre
Winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2014, and based on real events, this psychological thriller is a portrait of an…
Cinema
UK Premiere: Mi Gran Noche
We’re kicking off the festival with the latest slice of madness and mayhem from Álex de la Iglesia, a fast-paced, high-energy farce that’ll tickle your…
Cinema
El Secreto de sus ojos
Winner of the Best Foreign Film award at the 2010 Oscars, plus two Spanish Goyas, this stylish drama is an intense thriller blending romance, crime…
Cinema
Elefante blanco
A powerful and gripping story of social activism from leading Argentinian director Trapero. Julián and Nicolas are two maverick priests and long-standing friends, who along…
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Cuba Now: Abel González Melo
We’re delighted to welcome leading contemporary Cuban playwright Abel González Melo to HOME. Born in Havana in 1980, Melo is one of the most internationally…
Theatre
HOME presentsChamaco (Kiddo)
Christmas Eve in Havana. A knife fight over a few pesos leads to a young man’s death, as a worn-out sister waits for her brother…
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Ricardo Darín ¡Viva! 2016 Strand
As part of this year's ¡Viva! festival we showcase the role of actor Ricardo Darín in the resurgence of Argentinian cinema.
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Talk: Transnational Latin American Filmmaking: A New World Cinema
This talk presents a selection of films from Latin America produced between 2004 and 2014, showing how they are landmark cultural productions. Art, politics, entertainment…
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One Hour Intro: Ricardo Darín and the resurgence of Argentinian cinema
Once described as the love child that Robert De Niro and Peter Riegert never had, Ricardo Darín has grown to become the face of Argentinian…
Cinema
UK Premiere: Juntos y revueltos (El Mejunje de Silverio)
'El Mejunje de Silverio' is a cultural centre located in Santa Clara, central Cuba, known for its rock concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances and children's shows.…
Cinema
UK Premiere: L’adopció
When a Spanish couple travel to a country in Eastern Europe to adopt a young child, they find themselves mired in an murky system that…
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¡Viva! 2016 Café Cervantes
The welcome return of the Café Cervantes, an informal gathering of Spanish speaking film lovers. Come and practise your language skills while sharing your opinions…
Cinema
Carmina y amén.
After the sudden death of her husband, a working-class family matriarch convinces her daughter to conceal his passing for two days, until she’s paid the…
Cinema
Preview: Truman
Cesc Gay’s latest collaboration with Argentinian star Ricardo Darín and Spanish star Javier Cámara, joint winners of Best Actor at San Sebastian International Film Festival…
Theatre
Emma Frankland, Keir Cooper and Ultimo Comboio presentsDon Quijote
A playful exploration of Cervantes’ novel, combining incredible visual imagery, live music and dance, this is an unmissable performance about standing up for what you…
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¡Viva! Closing Party
Featuring DJs and live music, join us for the ¡Viva! closing party in the bar from 21:00 til late. What better way to to end…