It’s A Pleasure USA 7 min., Color Comedy, 2004 Language: English RATED: 16 Director: Elizabeth Szekeresh

Ann moves in with a dragon lady of a roommate who cares more about grooming herself than about welcoming Ann. Ann responds by getting to know and love herself from the outside in. No matter what the circumstances--a self-absorbed roommate or a jerk of a landlord–Ann learns about the greatest love of all.
 

King of Zinacantán, The Mexico 29 mins., Color Mythical Fiction, 2003 Language: Tzotzil/Spanish w/ English Subtitles Director: Antonio Coello

Based on a Tzotzil legend, this is the tale of a young Zinacantán Indian who finds the “spirit of money” and the ladinos (Spanish-speaking people from San Cristobal) who try to gain control of the Indians’ wealth.
 

Uraga: A Garifuna History Uraga: Una historia garífuna Guatemala 45 mins., Mixed Fictional Short, 2003 Language: Spanish w/ English Subtitles Directors: Ana Carlos, Guillermo Escalon

In November 2002, the streets of Livingston, Guatemala were filled with intense activity: the Garifuna community was celebrating the 200th anniversary of their arrival in Guatemala; and the Garifuna community and Caminos del Asombro had decided to film a movie. Livingston was converted into a large cinematography set. URAGA, which means “story” in the Garifuna language, is the result. In this fictional short movie conceptualized and acted by the Garifunas of Livingston, they communicate the value of their culture, their language, their music, their beliefs and their hopes. 
 

Whore, The La Puta USA 31 min., Color Magical realism, 2004 Language: English Director: Iris Almaraz

Gaby, a young girl living in a border town, is struggling to find her identity. Her troubles are beyond her self-indulgent, mentally-ill mother’s ability to cope. In fact, in addition to dealing with the emotional pressures of puberty, she’s stuck playing parent to her irresponsible mother. Luckily for her, the local town whore (La Puta) with a heart of gold, befriends Gaby, and besides giving her much needed advice on dealing with overanxious boys, helps Gaby discover what it means to be a woman.
 

From Girls to Mothers De Niña a Madre Nicaragua 45 mins., Color Documentary, 2005 Language: Spanish and Miskito w/ English Subtitles RATING: 16 Director: Florence Jaugey

Of the approximately 400 children born in Nicaragua daily, 100 of them are to adolescent mothers. This documentary follows the lives of three such adolescents from diverse parts of the country. None of them had planned to be mothers at such an early age. The filmmakers sought them out and followed their lives for several months, learning about their families, stories of love, doubts, hopes and the tough reality in which they live and will have to raise their children.

These are not stories with happy endings; they are stories that raise many questions about traditional behavior related to women’s identity and the meaning of maternity.
 

Hidden Truths Verdades Ocultas Nicaragua 51 mins., Color Documentary, 2003 Language: Spanish w/ English Subtitles RATING: 13 Director: Rossana Lacayo

Prostitution is illegal in Nicaragua, yet all governments have allowed it. As poverty grows and opportunities decrease, prostitution is becoming a more common survival strategy, not just in Nicaragua, but all over Central America. It is reality: harsh and tangible and inescapable. And although society may try to ignore the natural consequences…such as HIV/AIDS and as Nicas say, to “hide the sun with a fingertip,” the tide touches us all, and THE TRUTH IS NO LONGER HIDDEN.