Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America: The Maid

Latin American cinema is in another golden age. First there was Luis Buñuel and his feature work in Mexico during the ‘40s and ‘50s; more recently, there’s been a surge started by Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro. Mexico, Argentina and Brazil are the big players, but at Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America, Panama, Chile and Colombia also get some recognition. Although the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s mini film festival is heavy on drama, the schedule has its share of comedies, including today’s wonderfully pouty The Maid, which will be introduced by director Sebastián Silva. The film follows Raquel, a Chilean maid who considers herself a member of the family she serves. Unfortunately, she’s the only one in the household who does. When the family hires additional help, Raquel is determined to oust the newcomers, and sabotages each new hire by pulling increasingly childish pranks and resorting to ever more over-the-top antics. Latin Wave Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday. 1001 Bissonnet. For information, call 713-639-7515 or visit www.mfah.org. $6 to $7.
Fri., May 1, 9 p.m.; Sun., May 3, 7 p.m., 2009