Cortos en curso, Short Films in Spanish

This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book.

Cortos en curso is a series of twelve short films accompanied by a corresponding set of activities that are appropriate for courses that span the intermediate and advanced levels.  Each film is approximately 10-12 minutes in length and has been selected because its content, plot, and language level support goals of most intermediate and advanced level course materials.  The films provide a high interest story line that motivate learners to view authentic cultural products, practices, and perspectives in a very real, functional way.

Paloma Lapuerta is Professor of Spanish at Central Connecticut State University, where she teaches course in Spanish language, culture, and literature.  She has over twenty years of teaching experience at higher education institutions around the world, including Spain, Switzerland, South Africa, and the United States, where she has taught at the University of Michigan, Dartmouth College, and the Middlebury College Spanish School.  She completed her Licenciatura in Spanish Philology at the University of Salamanca and earned her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the University of Geneva.  She has published numerous articles and a book on Spanish culture and literature and is coauthor of Mosaicos, Unidos, Identidades, La escritura paso a paso, and Cortos en curso.

1.  La boda (Spain)
Mirta is a Cuban living in Madrid.  Like many immigrants, she works in maintenance/cleaning.  At 6:00, her daughter is to be married.  However, nothing goes according to plan and getting to the wedding is more difficult than it appears. Director:  Marina Seresesky
2.  Vida nueva (Argentina)
Elena and Camilo are neighbors.  She is 72 years old and he is 78.  Their tired bodies and wrinkly faces are a somber reminder of time gone by.  Elena and Camilo like each other--in silence.  As if they were still in their teens, they spy and flirt with each other.  The film takes place on the last day of the year and their loved ones are joining to celebrate with them.  Director:  Lucas Santa Ana.  Writer:  Gustavo Cabana
3.  Cristobal (Cuba)
Cristobal Torriente is a former baseball player and legendary champion of the Cuban Baseball League who now lives in Habana Centro, where time seems to stand still.  Today is the day his dream will finally come true.  As he walks through La Habana--as if touching the four bases on the baseball diamond--he gets ready to hand over his years of experience and hopes to his son.  Today is his son's first playoff game as a professional ballplayer, Cristobal, Jr.  Directors:  Emanuele Cova and Nelson Navarro.  Writer:  Emanuele Cova
4.  De la noche a la manana (Argentina)
Mercedes, minutes before her father's death, finds out she has a sister named Pilar.  Mercedes doesn't know her and has to find her before the funeral.  Director and Writer:  Lucas Santa Ana
5.  Alfred and Anna (Mexico)
Since the Hummingbird families had to emigrate (because of the closing of the town's factory, which drove the town's economy), the town has been left with no children.  Professor Alfred sees his lifelong dream to teach music truncated.  Day after day, Alfred drifts away from his wife Anna and the dream the two once shared.  The arrival of a new student reinvigorates Alfred's passion for teaching music, but will he be able to rekindle the passion he once felt for Anna?  Director:  Juan Manuel Suarez-Garcia.  Screenplay: Jorge Laplace.
2012 Goya Awards:  Nominted fo rBest Spanish Animation Short Film 2013:  Festival de Malaga: Seleccion oficial cortometrajes de animacion
6.  A Lonley Sun Story (Spain)
When Linda sees no solution to her problems, she decides to run away.  A strange turn of events leads her to meet a peculiar young man named Oscar.  Linda will live an experience that will change her life forever.  Directors:  Juanma Suarez, Enrique F. Guzman.  Screenplay:  Tessy Diez
2014 Goya Awards:  Nominated for Best Animated Short Film
7.  Pelucas (Spain)
Actress Maria Fornell finishes her last performance of the season for Lysistrata.  Cooped up in her dressing room (still in character and in costume), she refuses to attend the evening's gala at which she is to receive an award.  Her partner and make up artist, Silvia, pleads with her to attend the gala.  Director and Screenplay:  Jose Manuel Serrano Cueto
8.  Estatuas (Mexico)
The inauguration ceremony of a statue in the town's square--at which Carlitos is to give a commemorative speech--becomes the place for the manifestation of discontent and petitions in a city that is trying to survive on the edge of the countryside.  Director:  Roberto Fiesco.  Screenplay:  Humberto Delgado.
2013 Premios Ariel:  Nominated for Best Short Fiction Film
9.  Cuesta abajo (Colombia)
 Henry Forero, a boy of only twelve born in a pop district of Bogota, is the new global transportation visionary, but Henry's revolution will be more powerful and more striking:  thanks to him, Colombian cars will reach the whole world.  Henry is a child who teaches us that sometimes in life in order to get to the top you have to downhill first. Director:  Luisa V, Orozco Ortiz   10.  Amador y Caridad (Colombia)
This is the story of Amador, a humble man in Bogota, who writes a list of orders in his notebook from his neighbors on his way to work.  He is in love with Caridad, the teacher in the neighborhood, but he dare not talk to her.  By day, he is a garbage collector, and every day he picks up things his friends have requested of him.   One day, Caridad shows up at his door to surprise him.  Director and Screenplay:  Vlamyr Vizcaya  . 11.  YO TB TQ (Yo tambien te quiero) (Spain)
A film entitled "Yo tambien te quiero" demonstrates the difference between two couples trying to resolve their issues--one using WhatsApp and the other, face to face. Director:  Daniel Montes
12.  Recursos humanos (Spain)
A man from Human Resources is about to interview a new potential employee.  While this situation may show the discomfort some applicants may feel when questioned by an HR professional (particulary an inappropriate one), this one also provides a hint of vindication as well.  Director: Joan Alvarez Llados