V-me wants you to C-it

V-me, the Spanish television network, celebrates its third anniversary in March with a new line-up of entertainment content in Spanish. With more than two dozen new series, all U.S. Hispanic premieres, V-me combines new original productions with acquisitions from world-class producers including PRISA, BBC, National Geographic, Artear, Turner Latin America, and Off-the-Fence.

"V-me brings quality and engagement with content that fills the gaps in the U.S. Hispanic TV landscape," said Carmen DiRienzo, V-me president and CEO. "Our new programs bring drama beyond novellas while feeding our viewers' hunger for broad ranging lifestyle and factual entertainment. This means new dynamic viewers to Spanish TV and more choices for those already watching Spanish TV."

NEW IN PRIME

Hay Alguien Ahí – (There's Someone There) Mondays – Supernatural dangers confront a family in a house filled with dark secrets. A ratings winner with young adults in Spain, this is the first paranormal drama ever offered on U.S. Spanish TV.

Tratame Bien (Be Good To Me) - Tuesdays - A couple in midlife crisis (played by international stars, Julio Chavez and Cecilia Roth) juggles difficult kids, a failing business, affairs, couples therapy and the tragicomedy of everyday life.

Amistades Peligrosas (Dangerous Friendships) - Wednesdays – Romance is laced with suspense when a group of thirty-somethings reunite ten years after the unsolved murder that shattered their friendship – and nobody is above suspicion.

Cuenta Atrás (Against Time) - Thursdays – in the tradition of 24, Chief Corso – a tough, brilliant loner with a short fuse – leads an elite crime unit in a weekly race against the clock to solve the toughest cases in this action-packed police drama.

Botines (The Loot) - Fridays - Real-life heists and scams - and the criminal masterminds who planned them - come to life via dramatic recreations.

In addition to these new drama series, V-me also adds engaging new entertainment to its evening lineup:

En Pantalla (On Screen ) – (Wednesdays 8:30pm) Expanded to a regular weekly half-hour, the only weekly cinema series in Spanish features host Jack Rico with news, reviews, interviews and contests. The program leads into V-me's weekly showcase of contemporary Latin films from Europe and the Americas.

Estudio Billboard – (Tuesdays 10:00 pm) V-me's original hit music interview series hosted by Leila Cobo is back for a new season of in-depth conversation and intimate performances, featuring artists like Alejandro Sanz, Christian Castro and more.

Desafío Extremo (Extreme Challenge) – (Thursdays 10:00pm) In the style of Crocodile Hunter or Man vs. Wild, mountain climber/motorcycle racer Jesus Calleja confronts extreme nature, from the world's snowiest peaks to scorching deserts.

Ciencia Sobrenatural (Supernatural Science) (Tuesdays 9:00pm) - Some phenomena still defy rational explanation - science, experts and dramatic recreations combine in a fascinating series that explores the reality behind the myths.

About V-me: V-me, one of America's largest Spanish networks, entertains and informs Latino families in Spanish with primetime drama, music, sports, current affairs and Latin cinema, along with world class kids, food, lifestyle and nature. The 24-hour network, partnered with public television stations, is currently available in over 70% of all Hispanic homes. V-me is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, V-me Media Inc.

More info:

http://www.VmeTV.com

Iberoamérica viaja a Berlín

A partir del 11 de febrero el Festival Internacional de Cine de Berlín (más conocido como la Berlinale), abrirá sus puertas nuevamente, acogiendo no sólo a películas que competirán por el famoso Oso de Oro, sino también a diversas iniciativas que transcurren en paralelo al festival, como ser el Talent Campus o el Co-Production Market.

Cinco películas hispanas participarán de este mercado paralelo que ya va por su séptima edición, en búsqueda de socios, productores, financieras y hasta potenciales distribuidores. El chileno Marco Bechis (Garage Olimpo, 1999) presenta Caminos Líquidos con co-producción italiana. El argentino Eduardo Rípari por largo tiempo asistente de dirección, presentará su primer proyecto de largometraje, El Testamento. Alicia Scherson (Turistas, 2009) presenta El Futuro, una co-producción entre Chile y España. Por Brasil participará Marcos Bernstein (escritor de Estación Central, 1998, y otras), con O Meu Pé De Laranja Lima, y por Costa Rica Laura Astorga con Princesas Rojas.

En la competencia oficial, y ante glorias como Martin Scorsese, Roman Polanski y Zhang Yimou, la argentina Natalia Smirnoff, con camino parecido al de Eduardo Rípari, debutará con su ópera prima Rompecabezas, con la ilusión de llevarse a casa el Oso de Oro. Anteriormente otros argentinos lograron premios en este festival: Daniel Burman, Oso de Plata con El Abrazo Partido (2004) y Rodrigo Moreno, el Alfred Bauer por El Custodio (2006).

Smirnoff recibió en el 2009 la suma de 10.000 euros al ganar el premio de Casa de América de Ayuda a la Postproducción del Cine Latinoamericano. Todos ellos, y tantos otros que se quedaron afuera, demuestran que el cine de habla hispana sigue siendo un gran protagonista internacional, y nuevos talentos se desarrollan cada vez más.

Trailer:

Imágen: Victoria Onetto en Rompecabezas.

From Here And There

Two Latino films open this month. One of them is from the Bronx, New York. The other one is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Although the stories are very different —even the genres—, both main characters share an important condition: the need of a change.

Falling Awake (2009), written and directed by Cuban born Agustín (El Vacilón, 2009), tells the story of a young Latino musician in the Bronx, who struggles to find his identity. It's a story about survival beyond class and condition, and the possibilities to live a life outside poverty and violence.

The Paranoids (2008), by Gabriel Medina, stars Berlin Silver Bear winner Daniel Hendler (Lost Embrace, Whisky), as a guy who works in birthday parties and writes his first feature and will engage in a conflict with a friend and his girlfriend.

Falling Awake's trailer:

The Paranoids' trailer:

Photo: Daniel Hendler, Jazmín Stuart and Walter Jakob (The Paranoids)