Latin American Film Series will feature three films

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -– Purdue’s Latino Student Council has selected three films for the Latin American Film Series, which begins Thursday (Feb. 24).

The annual event showcases a variety of Latin American films followed by a discussion led by a guest facilitator. All events begin at 6:00p and are located in Purdue University’s Armstrong Hall, Room 1109. The screenings are free and open to the public.

The films to be shown include:

“Trade.” Thursday. When 13-year-old Adriana is kidnapped in Mexico City, her brother Jorge goes on a desperate search to find her before she is sold as a sex slave. Jorge meets a Texas police officer who lost his daughter to sex trafficking, and he helps Jorge navigate the terrain of the sex trade tunnels between Mexico and the United States. The host for this film is the Embajadores Social Justice Committee.

“El Cantante.” March 31. This film is based on the true story of Hector Lavoe, known as the king of salsa, a Puerto Rican singer who brought the salsa movement to the United States in 1975. Lavoe shot to stardom and had a passionate relationship with his wife, Puchi. Even when he had it all, however, his personal pain caused him to have drug addiction issues, which eventually ended his career. The host is the Puerto Rican Student Association.

“The Other Side of Immigration.” April 13. Based on more than 700 interviews, the movie asks why so many Mexicans leave home to work in the United States and what happens to the families and communities they leave behind. Through a subtle and thought-provoking approach, the film challenges audiences to imagine more creative and effective solutions to the immigration issue. The host is Delta Pi Rho.

The film series is sponsored by the Diversity Resource Office, Latino Alliance, Delta Phi Mu, Delta Pi Rho, Women’s Resource Office, Latin American & Latino Studies Program, MESA, Queer Student Union, Gamma Rho Lambda Sorority, Delta Lambda Phi, the Latino Cultural Center, the Latino Student Council, Embajadores, Tau Phi Sigma and the Latino Graduate Student Organization.

The Latino Student Council is composed of representatives of the 15 Latino student organizations on Purdue’s campus. Supported by the Latino Cultural Center, they work to unify Latino organizations on campus and promote collaboration, service and social responsibility.

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