Juan Gordon Movies

Two priests dedicated to building a new hospital in a Buenos Aires shantytown find themselves caught in a violent war between rival drug lords that threatens devastating repercussions. Longtime friends Father Julián (Ricardo Darín) and Father Nicolás (Jérémie Renier) have dedicated their lives to helping the residents of Villa Maria, but lately an escalating feud between two criminal factions has made that goal impossible. Even worse, the corrupt police show no interest in halting the violence. Meanwhile, as Father Julián works tirelessly to ensure construction on Latin America's largest hospital doesn't grind to a halt, he is joined by Father Nicolás, still haunted after seeing members of his flock gunned down in the jungle by a paramilitary unit. That tragedy has resulted in a serious crisis of faith for the benevolent Father Nicolás, though the company of pretty atheist social worker Luciana (Martina Gusman) helps to ease his troubled mind. Later, with tensions in the streets reaching a fever pitch, a ministerial decree halts construction on the hospital, setting the stage for a violent showdown between the slum-dwelling locals and the corrupt authorities. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

A young man who has grown up on the streets wants to do right by his mother -- even as he lives outside the law -- in this stylish action drama from Spain. Ricky (Mario Casas) was only 12 years old when he was left to fend for himself after his mother Pura (Angela Molina) ended up in jail on prostitution charges. Even though she let him down, Ricky is still devoted to his mom as he pedals goods on the street to support himself and lives with a makeshift family that includes Angelito (Vicente Romero), a low-rent pimp; his half-bright sidekick The Kid (Luciano Caceres); Angelito's drug-addicted lover Scrag (Macarena Gomez); and Princess (Damaso Conde), an eccentric cross-dresser convinced she's descended from royalty. Eager to give his mother a better life, Ricky wants to open a brothel that she can run when she's released from prison, and with some help from Angelito and The Kid, he's nearly gotten the illegal business off the ground when he discovers Pura's growing senility would make it impossible for her to run the establishment. Even worse, local gangster El Chino (Dario Grandinetti) doesn't like Ricky giving him competition and demands a huge protection payment if the business is to stay open. Ricky doesn't have the sort of bankroll El Chino demands, so he and his partners make a desperate attempt to raise the cash by kidnapping Veronica (Blanca Suarez), whose father is a powerful but dishonest police detective (Antonio de la Torre). Carne de Néon (aka Neon Flesh) was written and directed by Paco Cabezas, who adapted the story from a short subject he made in 2005. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Neon Flesh director Paco Cabezas weaves this dark tale of family secrets concerning a brother and sister who make a sinister discovery during a trip back to Argentina to turn off their estranged father's life-support system. Realizing that neither seems able to recall any discernable details regarding their childhood, the siblings embark on a road trip to Tierra del Fuego in hopes of finding their childhood home. Once there, they discover a mysterious diary that opens the door to a horrifying parallel world. Now, before they can save themselves, the terrified siblings must first confront and correct their grim past. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director Oliver Stone's follow-up to El Comandante finds the iconoclastic filmmaker speaking with controversial Cuban leader Fidel Castro about the 75 "political dissidents" who were arrested and imprisoned on the island nation in 2003, and digging for the truth about the political climate in Cuba by speaking with the prisoners and their families. Additional conversations with prominent dissidents and human rights activists offer a vivid portrait of a troubled nation. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Jet Set writer/director Fabien Onteniente returns to craft this sequel set against the backdrop of hedonistic Ibiza, and starring Rupert Everett as a Parisian party planner whose career has been sabotaged by a jealous rival. If you want your party to pop, you call on Charles (Everett). Charles has a knack for throwing the wildest parties in around, and his reputation is legendary. But Charles also has his fair share of enemies, and when a dastardly competitor schemes to turn Europe's hottest party planner into a hopeless has been he makes way for Ibiza in search of local club king John John (Jose Garcia). Perhaps with a little help from the flamboyant entertainer who helped put Ibiza on the map, Charles can restore his reputation and finally get back to doing what he does best - keep the crowds dancing till the break of dawn! ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Peruvian filmmaker Alberto 'Chicho' Durant directs the ensemble film Doble Juego (Con Game). Rafo (Fabrizio Aguilar) is a would-be filmmaker in Lima struggling to pay his bills and support his girlfriend Laura (Mari Pili Barreda). He gets scammed by a Spanish con artist (Fernando Cayo) as part of an elaborate scheme involving several other Peruvians. The film is based on the corrupt administration of President Fujimori. Con Game was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 as part of the World Cinema program. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

The troubled career of blacklisted director Herbert Biberman, who endured a considerable struggle to make the 1954 pro-Labor film Salt of the Earth, provides the centerpiece for this historical drama. The film opens at the 1937 Academy Awards, where Biberman's wife, Gale Sondergaard (Greta Scacchi), wins the first ever "Best Supporting Actress" Oscar. Although the anti-Fascist sentiment in her acceptance speech gets her labeled a "commie" by some observers, she and Biberman (played here by Jeff Goldblum) are placed under contract at Warner Bros. Ten years later, with Cold War paranoia growing, a group of predominantly Jewish Hollywood directors -- Biberman, Sondergaard, Danny Kaye, and Dalton Trumbo among them -- are labeled Communists and questioned before Congress. Refusing to name names, Biberman is thrown in prison for six months; his wife's similar refusal to testify severely threatened her career as well. After his release from prison, Biberman, no longer able to work in Hollywood, strikes out on his own with other blacklistees, producer Paul Jarrico (John Sessions) and writer Michael Wilson (Geraint Wyn Davies), to make Salt of the Earth. Biberman's production is far from easy, however, as it comes under attack from both the FBI and redneck vigilantes. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi

With a minimal budget ($50,000), 28-year-old Beto Gomez made his directorial debut with this portrait depicting the underside of life in Mexico. After decades of struggling in the United States, Pachuco (Robert Cobo) returns to his Mexican pueblo where he joins drinking pal Chavita (Jose Luis Pimentel) during the midst of preparations for the Day of the Dead. Thrown into jail, they meet other prisoners, and each explain the fateful turn of events that landed them behind bars. Includes documentary-style Day of the Dead footage. Shown at the 1997 San Sebastian Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi