Music-Related Movies at Romance in a Can European Film Festival

The Romance in a Can European Film Festival commenced last Thursday at the Tower Theater (1508 SW 8 St), and while we're not huge lovey-dovey advocates on Crossfade (romance, shromance!), there are two films on the slate this week that involve music directly in the plot. Here they are. For complete screening and ticket details, visit romanceinacan.com.

The Accordion Angel
(El ángel del acordeón)
(Colombia, Spain, 2008. 90 min. Spanish with English subtitles)

​​ Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, girl demands he become a kick-ass accordion player in order to win her affections. It's the typical scenario. Wait, what? Poncho Daza, an 11 year-old boy, has two dreams: Get an accordion and win over the heart of his dream girl Sara Maria. She's challenged him to become a great accordion player, capable of composing a song that touches her soul. However, his family's financial problems take its toll on him and won't let him get the accordion to learn how to play. On top of that, his father is a male chauvinist who humiliates him for being left-handed and for his obsession with music.

Screenings: Friday May 7, 7:00 p.m. (Tower Theater), Sunday May 9, 2:30 p.m. (Tower Theater)

Little Moscow
(Mala Moskwa)
(Poland, 2008. 114 min. Polish and Russian with English subtitles)

​Legnica, the headquarters for Soviet forces from 1945 to 1990, was nicknamed "Little Moscow." History buffs take note: It's based on real events and takes place in the period before the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Warsaw Pact Armies. The military decides to move Russian pilot Yuri and his beautiful wife Vera to Legnica. She learns the language and is fascinated with the music, poetry, and culture of the country and submerses herself in it all. Vera's charming performance in a singing contest ignites a deep passion in Polish lieutenant Michal, and the two have to choose between loyalty and love.

Screenings: Tuesday, May 4, 2:30 p.m. (FIU South Campus) Saturday, May 8, 9:00 p.m. (Tower Theater), Sunday May 9, 4:45 p.m. (Tower Theater)