The Intersection of Art and Culture at ¡Esto Es Tostorieta!
From July 23 to August 2, the Leopoldo Lugones Room in Buenos Aires is set to host the much-anticipated third edition of ¡Esto Es Tostorieta! This vibrant festival brings together an eclectic array of 14 productions, ranging from feature films to short films and documentaries, that explore the interconnected worlds of comics, manga, and cinema. Attendees can expect to experience works from various countries, including Argentina, Japan, France, Mexico, Chile, and the USA.
Highlighted Productions
The festival’s lineup includes 11 feature films, a variety of short films, and an exclusive sneak peek of The Father of the Condor, a Chilean documentary series focused on René Ríos Boettiger, affectionately known as Pepo— the creator of the beloved Condorito. This documentary highlights Pepo’s significant contributions to the world of comics and will be presented at the San Martin Theater, located at 1530 Corrientes Avenue. Organized by the Buenos Aires Theater Complex alongside the Argentina Cinemateca Foundation, the festival seeks to deepen the dialogue between comics and cinema.
Supporting Cultural Institutions
The event is made possible through collaborations with several organizations such as the French Institute of Argentina, the Cultural and Information Center of the Embassy of Japan, and The Japan Foundation. These partnerships reflect the festival’s aim to blend recent titles, classic works, and rare materials, thereby strengthening the artistic connections across different media.
Aims and Objectives
Pablo Conde, the artistic director of ¡Esto Es Historieta!, emphasizes the festival’s goal of mixing diverse audiences. By offering a range of activities, he hopes to build bridges between people who are familiar with one discipline and encourage them to explore others. As he notes, these films serve as “invitations” for viewers to delve deeper into the comics that resonate with them.
Opening Day Features
The festival kicks off with Hiroshima mon amour, directed by Alain Resnais, screening at 3 PM on the opening day, July 23. This 1959 film is notable not just for its cinematic impact but for Resnais’ admiration of comic artistry. Following this, The Father of the Condor will be screened at 6 PM along with Nicolás Zukerfeld’s short film, A Room Full of Dust. The day will culminate with the documentary When We Went MAD, shedding light on the iconic MAD magazine, which played a pivotal role in the comic landscape since its inception in 1952.
Subsequent Days at the Festival
The festival’s programming continues with a rich array of films showcasing the vast tapestry of comic-related cinema. On July 24, audiences will have the chance to watch Mollusk, I’m Toxic, and Little Flower. Later dates feature significant works including Breccia and the classic Japanese animated film Gene the Barefoot, emphasizing the diverse themes that comics can address.
Closing Ceremony
As the festival draws to a close on August 2, it will present The Man Without Talent, a Japanese film based on Yoshiharu Tsuge’s comic, which resonates with the festival’s overall theme of intertwining art forms.
Conclusion
¡Esto Es Tostorieta! promises to be a celebration of creativity that spans continents and genres, giving attendees an opportunity to explore the cross-pollination of comics and film. This fusion of cultural relics from Condorito, Hiroshima, and MAD magazine will certainly provide a unique experience, inviting audiences to engage with multiple forms of artistic expression. Whether you’re a comic enthusiast or a film aficionado, this festival is an unmissable event that invites everyone to explore the rich interface between visual storytelling mediums.