Tuesday, March 19, 6:15 pm, UNC Charlotte Main Campus, Cone Center-McKnight Hall
On March 19: Introduction by Hugo Pascual Bordón, Instructor of Spanish, UNC Charlotte. A discussion will follow the screening.
Friday, March 29, 6:30 pm, UNC Charlotte Main Campus, Cone Center-McKnight Hall
On March 29: Introduction by Myron Claeys, Spanish MA Fellow, UNC Charlotte. A discussion will follow the screening.
Hernán Jiménez, Costa Rica, 2012/95 min.
Spanish with English subtitles
Sponsors: Pragda Grant, Spanish Club CEPA
The Return is the story of a delightful and life-changing journey back to Costa Rica. After living 10 years in New York, 30-year-old Antonio returns to San José where he is forced to deal with the realities he ran away from. He is welcomed by his intense sister, Amanda-whose husband recently abandoned her and their young son Inti, who is apprehensive about Antonio’s presence. When things take an unexpected turn, Antonio is forced to remain home far longer than he had anticipated. Add in the comedy of Antonio finding out that his best friend is the lead singer of a death metal rock band and sprinkle in the rekindling of a childhood romance and you have the ingredients of a superb film. Actor and director Hernán Jiménez not only wrote, directed, and stared in this, his second full-length film, but also financed it with the proceeds from his first feature, his stand-up comedy act, and the most successful Kickstarter campaign in Latin America to date. Far from the image of Costa Rica promoted by the country’s Department of Tourism, The Return became the highest grossing Costa Rican film ever and the first to earn international recognition.
“Students loved this film, they could relate to the characters and found it both funny and entertaining while dealing with serious issues. Best film I’ve seen all year! We all loved the film–we laughed and cried and lived with the characters.” – Alexandra Martinez, Associate Professor of Spanish, Jacksonville State University
