Pedro Almodovar films to be showcased on new Latino film channel

In an unprecedented move by a Spanish-language pay-television channel, Cine Latino has finalized deals with five of the world’s leading film distributors, acquiring more than 90 new titles that include some of the most critically-acclaimed and biggest box office hits of recent years from across the U.S., Latin America, Mexico, and Spain.

Cine Latino has acquired major film packages from Sony, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, and Gussi — the largest movie distributor in Mexico.

In another unparalleled move, Cine Latino has assembled the largest showcase of Pedro Almodovar films ever to be presented on a Spanish-language service. Titles include ‘Volver’, a Golden Globe nominee and winner of Best Actress and Best Screenplay at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival starring Penelope Cruz; ‘La Mala Educacion’ (“Bad Education”), one of Almodovar’s most serious works starring Gael Garcia Bernal; ‘Todo Sobre Mi Madre’ (“All About My Mother”), an Oscar-winning film starring Penelope Cruz; ‘Matador’ (“The Bullfighter”), an award-winning film with Antonio Banderas and Assumpta Serna; and ‘Atame!’ (“Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!”), a love drama starring Antonio Banderas and Victoria Abril. The Almodovar films will be available exclusively on Cine Latino.

Sample newly-acquired titles include:

— ‘El Crimen Del Padre Amaro’ (“The Crime of Father Amaro”), the Oscar-nominated, highest-grossing film in the history of Mexican cinema, starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Ana Claudia Talancon.

— ‘American Visa’, based on the best-selling book in Bolivia, starring Damian Bichir and Kate Del Castillo (from “La Misma Luna”). Winner of Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2006 Ariel Awards in Mexico.

— ‘Ninas Mal’ (“Charm School”), one of the most popular Mexican movies of 2007 starring four of Mexico’s favorite young actresses: Camila Sodi, Martha Higareda, Ximena Sarinana, and Maria Aura.

— ‘Secuestro Express’ (“Express Kidnapping”), the critically-acclaimed, box office hit from Venezuela, starring Mia Maestro and Ruben Blades.

— ‘Bluff’, a comedic thriller from Colombia that was presented at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, starring Victor Mallarino, Veronica Orozco and Carolina Gomez. Bluff was the highest-grossing Columbian movie of 2007.

— ‘Cansada de Besar Sapos’ (“Tired of Kissing Frogs”), one of the highest-grossing Mexican films of all time starring Juan Manuel Bernal, Itati Cantoral and Pedro Damian.