By Taylor Breckles (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: November 13, 2013
Over a period of several weeks, a special Spanish experience has been occurring in B building on the Abbotsford campus. Cine Latino is a film night designed by the modern languages department in order to “bring Latino cinema closer to its audience,” professor Francisco Armengual says. “Regardless of where the films were produced, Cine Latino only presented films that have a direct connection with the [Latino] culture.”
Because of this project, several students can explore the beauty of Latino culture through film screenings. Whether students attended to improve their Spanish—as the films played in Spanish with English subtitles—or to enhance their knowledge of Latino culture, every attendee left the showings having gained knowledge in some area.
Films are a great way to broadcast different cultures and enhance learning while maintaining the interest of the audience. This learning method is sworn to work by several language professors in both universities and high schools. Armengual himself promotes “creative forms of learning” and says “my passion for Spanish films [and education beliefs] were my best contribution for the event, and thanks to the support of students and staff, Cine Latino was a great success that will be repeated next semester with a new film selection.”
Before next semester comes around, one more film will be shown during International Education Week (IEW), which will provide an opportunity for students to dip their feet into the water of Latino culture. Armengual has confirmed that on Tuesday, November 19 La lengua de las mariposas (translated as The Butterfly’s Tongue) will be played in the lecture theatre (B101).
La lengua de las mariposas is a film that will “[drive] you [into] the tragic [truth] of the Spanish Civil War,” according to Armengual, “[and] the loss of innocence for a small boy and [an] entire country [will] transport you back to the year of 1975.”
If you have an interest in history, Spanish or otherwise, want to further your Spanish skills or simply relax while watching a good movie, be sure to visit B101 and check out La lengua de las mariposas. This one film could be enough to convince students to return next semester for more Spanish entertainment. La cultura Española ofrece más que los tacos!
