Festival de Cine, Brockman Gallery Film Festival '79, SurAmerica y Las Islas Cercanas. Festival also included the presentation of the Paul Robeson award to Jorge Sanjines, a presentation by actress Frances Williams, a performance by the Rwanda Lewis dance company, a seminar by Carlos Cortez and Ted Simonski "Cinema as a gun; Film as an educational and political medium" and a seminar by Jason Johansen "Latin American Women in Cinema"

"We at Brockman Gallery Productions are very happy to be able to share another film festival with you. This year marks the sixth year and is focused on the films and filmmakers from South American countries. This year also marks the first time we have attempted to attract members of our largest minority in Southern California the Hispanic from Mexico, Central America and South America. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to address this group with its long history of cultural contributions to the communities and countries in which they have lived. Putting together a film festival requires group effort and unity. I would like to take this time to thank the staff at Brockman Gallery Productions for their efforts, time and energies which have helped make this film festival a reality. Thank you for coming out and we hope that you will share in some of the other cultural events produced by Brockman Gallery Productions through the year- Alonzo Davis" [Source: Brockman Gallery Productions Poster, 1979]

"In much of Latin America it can be said that there are two cinemas. The first cinema is dominated by American and European entertainment films and by Latin films which copy those styles. The second cinema, born during the last two decades of social revolution and political unrest, rejects the fortuitous circumstances and convenient happy endings of commercial cinema in search of concrete and significant 'social art.' Contemporary Latin filmmakers are turning their cameras away from fluff and on to social wrongs, urban problems, and ignored minority cultures. The New Latin American Cinema demonstrates that film, when properly made, can bridge gaps between isolated groups, can turn abstract political ideas into concrete images, and can serve as an effective tool in national battles for liberation.

Contemporary Latin filmmaking is vital, exciting and important. It is also deeply revolutionary. These films depict more than the excitement of concern and social commitment. Watched closely, they also show us the ways in which films affects us all -- Latin peasant and Hollywood audience alike. Latin directors are rejecting what they call decades of 'cultural imperialism' in terms of accurate or irrelevant images and values which are imparted by films. After watching the Latin films, we may all wonder how much we, in turn, have been affected, molded, and changed by the images in our own films.

Argentinean Director Fernando Solanas referred to Cinema as a 'Gun.' Indeed, film can be used as a weapon for social and political change. In Latin America, cinema is a weapon aimed not at the body, but at the mind and soul and consciousness of an ignored, oppressed and impoverished audience. It is a weapon clutched not in hate but in love-- for it is an instrument which reveres life, restores human dignity, and respects the cultural diversity which makes mankind fascinating.

Bolivian Director Jorge Sanjines is being honored at this year's festival with the Paul Robeson Award for his Humanitarian contributions to his country. He has said that revolutionary cinema does not tell 'stories'; it is a cinema which makes history. The Latin Cinema is making history not only by capturing, expressing, and showing events, but by participating in and influencing the events themselves. - Dr. Ted Siminoski (Festival Programming Consultant) [Source: Brockman Gallery Productions Poster, 1979]