What: Special night of film, music and Mexican food to support the Portland Latin American Film Festival.

When: Thursday, July 23. 2009. Reception/doors at 6 p.m.. Film starts at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97214.

PDXLAFF 2009 hosts the theatrical première of the Mexican film “40 Días” (“40 Days”) by Juan Carlos Martín at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 at the Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97212.

Tickets are $15. This is a fundraising event for the Portland Latin American Film Festival. All proceeds will go directly to fund this year’s Film Festival to be held Oct. 14-19, 2009.

Appetizers donated by Mayahuel Catering.

40 Dias (40 Days) DIRECTOR: Juan Carlos Martín Directed by Carlos Martín with music by Ian Brown, former lead singer of the alternative rock band the Stone Roses, “40 Days” is the story of three middle-class Mexicans who for different reasons find themselves sharing their solitude after being uprooted from their daily lives. Andrés, El Pato and Ecuador set out on a road trip that will transform their lives forever. They travel from Mexico to New York and from there to Tijuana, running away from themselves. During these forty days they discover that their outward voyage also becomes an inward journey. “40 Days” arose from the need to reflect upon two powerful neighbors, Mexico and the United States, says the director. “By portraying a Mexican middle-class drowned in apathy, ‘40 Days’ represents ideas and images of my own generation that pose questions which interest me,” explains the director. There are many American views of Mexico, but there are not that many Mexican films which return that look. “40 Days” is one of such looks, Martín says. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE. WATCH MOVIE TRAILER HERE.

Juan Carlos Martín was born in 1966 in Mexico City. He studied cinematography at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica. He directed “Gabriel Orozco” (2002), a documentary that was awarded the Ariel for best Opera Prima. He also won Best Director for the Premio Mayahuel at the Festival de Cine Mexicano de Guadalajara in 2002, as well as Best Film and Best Sound Design. In 2003 Expresión en Corto granted this film the prize for Best Documentary. At the Miami International Film Festival it was awarded the prize for Best Iberoamerican Documentary.

Tickets are $15 available in advance [CLICK HERE] and at the door. All proceeds will go directly to fund this year’s Portland Latin American Film Festival to be held Oct. 14-19.