This touring series of recent films from Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East offers a unique survey of contemporary filmmaking from areas where economic realities make film storytelling—and the opportunity to reach international audiences—a challenge. Accomplished, entertaining, and thought-provoking, the films are deeply rooted in the social and political realities of the countries where their talented and resourceful makers live. Organized by the Global Film Initiative, “Global Lens” is one of the non-profit organization’s many granting, distribution, and education initiatives promoting cross-cultural understanding through cinema and the growth of global film communities. Visit globalfilm.org to explore GFI’S range of activities.

Chilean documentarian Patricio Guzmán’s unique body of films has largely chronicled a single broad subject over four decades: the events that have shaped the modern history of his country. In 1973, Chilean President Salvador Allende’s government was brought down in a bloody coup that propelled General Augusto Pinochet to power. From his self-exile in Europe, Guzmán’s response was THE BATTLE OF CHILE, a passionate recounting of the last year in the life of the first democratically elected Socialist in Latin America. Since then, the repercussions of the coup—social, political, economic, and personal—have been the subject of a cinematic exploration that has telescoped into a universal inquiry into the nature of history and memory and the essence of cinema itself. Opening the series is Guzmán’s newest film NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT, a hypnotically evocative cosmic mediation on how the past—all pasts—are ever-present. “The only eternal lesson to be had is to study the past, so that we won’t repeat it. ... Chile is a country that doesn’t take responsibility for what it has done. When it comes to the past, many people say, ‘It wasn’t me, I didn’t see it, I wasn’t there.’ It’s like no one was responsible for what occurred. There is no daily reminder.”—Patricio Guzmán.

Join us for balmy evenings and beguiling views atop the parking rooftop at the Hotel deLuxe, SW 15th at Yamhill. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. with music and refreshments. Gracie’s Restaurant will offer easy-to-juggle meals, snacks, and cocktails, and additional beverages will be available from TAZO Tea, MacTarnahan’s Brewing, and Viso. The screenings start when the sun goes down, around 9 p.m. Bring your own portable chair, pillow, or blanket, but please no pets or outside food or drink.

Top Down admission: $9

Thanks to our sponsors: HOTEL DELUXE, THE PORTLAND MERCURY, 94/7 FM ALTERNATIVE PORTLAND, KPSU-PORTLAND’S COLLEGE RADIO, PETER CORVALLIS PRODUCTIONS, TAZO TEA, YELP! PORTLAND, VISO, PDX PIPELINE, and MACTARNAHAN’S BREWING CO.