Can you share some of the key films you are releasing this fall that you think would resonate with librarians/educators?
We are adding 200 titles to our streaming platform, Pragda STREAM, and by the end of the year, we will have a total of 700+ titles. Some relevant titles include the documentaries A Place Called Music, featuring the captivating musical encounter between American composer Philip Glass and Mexican Wixárika musician Daniel Medina and Tanja - Up in Arms, a compelling story of a Dutch woman who joins the FARC guerrillas in Colombia. Additionally, we are adding engaging fiction films that have charmed audiences at film festivals to the platform.
Some of the titles include festival darling La Suprema, where an Afro-Latin teen convinces her rural Colombian village to find a way of watching her uncle compete in a world championship boxing match; Manuela, a thrilling drama about a young Latina nanny and her connection with the defiant two-year-old she's hired to look after; the latest by Carlos Lechuga, Vicenta B, a chronicle of the post-Cuban revolution through the eyes of a Santera; and Love and Mathematics, an award-winning comedy from Mexico that follows a former boy band member trying to resurrect his music career.
Our educational new releases include titles worth highlighting for Hispanic Heritage Month (Sep. 15 – Oct. 15), such as Home is Somewhere Else, a poignant animated documentary that tells the stories of young immigrants in the United States, capturing their struggles, dreams, and the complex realities of living between cultures; Boston Latin Quarter, an exploration of the neighborhood’s history, struggles, and its impact on the city and the next generation of Latinx; and Comala, where the filmmaker acts as a private investigator, delving into the mysteries of his estranged father’s life and death as a Tijuana hitman. We’ve also partnered with PBS to re-release several classic PBS series such as The Graduates and Latino Americans, among many other titles on Pragda STREAM.
Finally, we have a fantastic selection of 10 new titles for our Spanish Film Club grant program that were announced in March but will start their campus tour this Fall semester. These films are selected for the program after months of deliberation. We look for titles that are both educational and inspiring; films that will incite discussion and entertain at the same time. Some of the standout titles include The Padilla Affair, a gripping documentary that explores the life and trial of Cuban poet Heberto Padilla, whose imprisonment in 1971 sparked international outrage and debates on artistic freedom and censorship;
- Home is Somewhere Else is an excellent resource for discussing immigration, identity, and resilience
- Boca Chica is a beautifully shot narrative set in the Dominican Republic, exposes how local social norms present the sexualization of very young girls as a path to survival
- Babygirl is an unsettling portrait of a middle-aged woman and her relations with family, servants, and entourage that smartly inverts the ‘maid as a second mother’ narrative to explore issues of class and race;
- Without Prescription is a genuine representation of what it means to struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and mental health conditions in today’s health care system
- Money Exchange is a thought-provoking thriller set in Buenos Aires that explores themes of corruption and moral dilemmas faced by ordinary people
- Cassandro is an inspiring biopic starring Gael García Bernal, about the life of Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso who overcomes prejudice and rises to international stardom.
Will any of your films come with educational resources or guides that teachers can use in conjunction with the film?
We have developed Discussion Guides for the ten new releases in our Spanish Film Club grant program and most of the titles on that program have similar resources.
How do you accommodate institutions with varying budget levels?
Pragda STREAM adjusts its subscription and license prices based on the institution's size and resources. The Pragda Complete collection of 500 films can be purchased at an exceptional price, along with collections on different subject areas such as Latinx (39 titles), Afro-Latin (67 titles), and Indigenous Peoples (51 titles), among many others. We offer several DSL license options to universities. The most common are 3-year or Life of File licenses, but we also offer 1-year or Face-to-Face licenses upon request. Additionally, we provide discounts for bulk orders and during special periods such as year-end or back-to-school months.
Pragda also offers a credit system, allowing universities to purchase credits during times of available funds such as the end of the fiscal year, which can be used later to request specific titles. For example, a university could purchase 5 credits in May to request specific titles in August, as professors prepare their classroom materials. For rentals, pricing is adjusted to fit the screening circumstances. For special requests and purchases, we recommend contacting us at education@pragda.com to discuss.
Can you provide a list of the top films for 2024 that are particularly popular among public libraries?
The top films for 2024 that have been particularly popular among public libraries strike the perfect balance between engaging storytelling and substantial subject matter, entertaining patrons while leaving them with thought-provoking insights.
Titles include Guie’dani’s Navel, a compelling story about a young indigenous girl navigating life in Mexico City. This film has resonated deeply with audiences for its poignant portrayal of identity and resilience; Los Lobos, a heartwarming yet powerful film about a mother and her two sons who move to the United States in search of a better life has captivated viewers with its authentic depiction of immigration and the pursuit of the American dream;
Miriam Lies, a gripping narrative that delves into themes of race, identity, and societal expectations in the Dominican Republic, this film has become a favorite for its nuanced and impactful storytelling. In addition, some of our established classics remain among our best sellers. Machuca, a timeless film about the unlikely friendship between two boys from different social backgrounds in Chile during the dictatorship continues to be a staple in public libraries for its enduring relevance and emotional depth, and Bad Hair, known for its sharp social commentary and engaging narrative, this film from Venezuela about a young boy's struggle with his appearance and societal pressures remains a popular choice.
What are the best films for college campus screenings that promote student engagement and discussion?
The whole catalog of Spanish Film Club films has been specially selected for this purpose. We go through a great lens to choose a balanced selection that presents captivating stories rich in historical or social contexts that will encourage thoughtful conversations. In addition to the titles mentioned above, we’ve seen a lot of interest in the Mexican film Luchadoras, an intimate glimpse into the lives of three resilient female wrestlers in Ciudad Juárez, who courageously challenge traditional gender norms in the face of pervasive machismo and redefine the image of women in Mexico; and This Stolen Country of Mine, on assassinated presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio’s fight to uncover the corruption of the Ecuadorian government that allows Chinese mining in the country.
We offer curatorial assistance to anybody interested in organizing a screening or festival featuring Latin American cinema. Our personalized recommendations and strategic advice ensure that each film choice aligns with the institution’s goals and maximizes engagement. By leveraging a deep understanding of cinematic trends, audience preferences, and thematic relevance, we help institutions curate a thoughtfully designed lineup that resonates with their target audience. In addition to the film selection, organizing Q&As with directors after screenings is crucial for generating public engagement as it provides audiences with a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the creative process behind a film. These interactions allow viewers to ask questions, share their interpretations, and gain insights directly from the creators, fostering a more personal and enriching experience. Pragda is in close contact with filmmakers and facilitates their participation.
How do you envision your films contributing to long-term educational goals or initiatives in schools?
Our films contribute significantly to long-term educational goals and initiatives in schools by promoting diversity and inclusion. As our collection primarily features films from Latin America, they offer unique perspectives on critical topics such as race, ethnicity, and class disparity. By incorporating these films into the curriculum, educators can foster a more inclusive learning environment that reflects the diverse experiences and backgrounds of their students. This exposure helps students develop a deeper understanding of global issues, empathy for different cultures, and critical thinking skills. Additionally, our films serve as powerful tools for sparking discussions about social justice and equity, encouraging students to engage with and challenge the status quo.
By highlighting underrepresented voices and stories, our films contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive educational experience, which is essential for preparing students to be informed, compassionate, and active global citizens. This is especially relevant given the presence of Latino culture in the United States, where there are 60 million Latinos. Latin America is the United States' largest trading partner, and this strong relationship underscores the importance of providing students with the necessary context for their future professional endeavors.
How can your films engage public library patrons, and what themes or topics do you think will resonate with them?
Pragda’s collection features a wide range of genres, including entertaining comedies, romances, and series, many of which are from Latin America and touch upon topics of race, ethnicity, and class disparity. By incorporating these films into their offerings, public libraries can provide patrons with a diverse array of content that reflects a wide spectrum of experiences and backgrounds.
This not only enhances the library’s collection but also ensures that patrons of Hispanic descent, whose stories and experiences may not always be prominently featured, see themselves represented.
Are there any specific resources or support your company offers to librarians or educators to help them effectively incorporate your films into their collections/classrooms?
Pragda offers a variety of resources and support to help librarians and educators effectively incorporate our films into their collections and classrooms. We provide MARC records for easy cataloging and integration into library systems. Additionally, we offer tools for creating clips from our films, allowing educators to highlight specific sections relevant to their lessons.
Our platform includes options for creating playlists, enabling educators to organize and sequence films and clips to align with their curriculum. We also offer editing tools that allow for customization and annotation, making it easier to tailor content to specific educational needs. Our films come with subtitles in multiple languages to support diverse student populations, and we are expanding our collection of films with audio description options to ensure accessibility for all students. These resources are designed to enhance the educational experience and make it easier for educators to utilize our films effectively.
What can you share about any exciting projects or films slated for release in 2025 that our readers should be aware of?
We have several exciting projects and films slated for release in 2025. One of our major initiatives is expanding the reach of Pragda STREAM to public libraries. This expansion will allow a broader audience to access our diverse and inclusive film collection, enriching the resources available to public library patrons.
Additionally, we are working on launching Pragda KIDS, which will feature a carefully curated collection of films designed specifically for children and teenagers, to enter the K-12 market. This initiative will provide educational and entertaining content that promotes cultural understanding and empathy among younger viewers. These expansions and new projects are part of our ongoing commitment to offering high-quality, diverse content that meets the needs of all audiences. We are excited about these developments and look forward to the positive impact they will have on public libraries and educational institutions.