Paraguay Cinema

Paraguayan cinema is not as recognized as other more successful neighboring Latin American countries. Investment into the Paraguayan film industry has been minimal, with low representation at most cinemas in Paraguay, there is no choice but for cinema goers to watch mostly western and Argentinean films.

In recent years foundations have been set up in an attempt to create what is seen by many as an important and relevant cultural product and means of expression.

The first Paraguayan film was only ten minutes long and made in 1925 titled, “Alma Paraguaya,” by Hipólito Carrón.

Critics would agree that a lack of funding from the offset and the Alfredo Stossner dictatorship didn’t give the country the best of starts. Most of the films during his dictatorship were state funded purely for self promotion and the enforcement of his regime.

Things have started to look up in the 21st century with films such as María Escoba made in 2002 and O Amigo Dunor made in 2005. The latter was nominated for Best Movie in the Rotterdam International Film Festival. In 2006, Hamaca Paraguaya, an emotive and beautiful film, set in 1935, featuring a couple of aged smallholders waiting for their son, the rain and for better days. This film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and received many excellent reviews. Its story is perhaps representative of the Paraguayan film industry and things are starting to look up.