Wire Magazine 40.2018 Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018

ENJOY THE BEST OF GLOBAL CINEMA AT

MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL GEMS 2018

+ 14 SPOTLIGHT FILMS

ISSUE # 40 | 10.04.18 BEAUTIFUL SWISS MODEL GREG CARTER OUT & ABOUT: NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE GALA – MIAMI

+ SAM CHAMPION INTERVIEW

TOP TRAX: FALLING ONTO THE DANCE FLOOR

8. OUT & ABOUT: NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE GALA – MIAMI

We preview this year's annual National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami, and sit down for an inspiring interview with National Leadership Award honoree Sam Champion.

14. CENTERFOLD MODEL: GREG CARTER

This sexy hunk is an insurance advisor that comes to the pages of Wire Magazine from his home in Fribourg, Switzerland.

16. COVER STORY: ENJOY THE BEST OF GLOBAL CINEMA

AT MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL GEMS 2018

The fourth annual Miami Dade College's Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018 is set to take place October 11-14 at MDC's Tower Theater Miami, so we preview it for you.

18. COVER STORY: GEMS 2018 SPOTLIGHT FILMS

Enjoy Wire Magazine's preview of 14 of the outstanding selections for the Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018.

22. TOP TRAX: FALLING ONTO THE DANCE FLOOR

Seasons come and seasons go but the dance floor never stops, so enjoy these eight fresh just out remixes of the new season.

GO TO WIREMAG.COM: GOING OUT

Visit wiremag.com/goingout for this week's rundown of nightlife, dining and cultural events to plan your outings and have fun!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Publisher/Editor in Chief Rafa Carvajal Associate Publisher/Editor Michael Bustamante Design & Production True Ink Designs L.L.C. | trueinkdesigns.com Columnists Joey Amato Alfredo Barrios Alyn Darnay Anthony Reyes Michael W. Sasser Jesse Walker Official Photography Studio Photo Studio Miami Staff Photographer J.R. Davis Local Advertising advertising@wiremag.com National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media | 212.242.6863

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Distributed in print in Miami, The Beaches, and Fort Lauderdale, and digitally worldwide through wiremag.com The views, opinions or positions expressed by contributors to and interview subjects of Wire Magazine are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Wire Magazine, its staff or publisher.

Cover photo by Abel Cruz photostudiomiami.com Model: Greg Carter

PUBLISHER'S CORNER THE BEST IN GLOBAL CINEMA RETURNS TO MIAMI Welcome to October and to season in Miami. This is the time of the year when the arts and culture calendar goes into high gear and some of the best events of 2018 will also take place. For film aficionados who enjoy the best of international cinema, it is also time for Miami Dade College's Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018, set to take place October 11-14 at MDC's Tower Theater Miami.

This exceptional festival is a fall extension of the annual, internationally-renowned Miami Film Festival that will celebrate its 36th edition March 1-10, 2019. Wire Magazine has sponsored and covered the GEMS film festival since its inception, and year after year the films have been true gems of global cinema. If you haven't been to this film festival, I encourage you to purchase tickets at gems2018.miamifilmfestival.com. As a proud annual sponsor of GEMS, this week, we bring you Wire Magazine's annual special issue previewing the Festival and spotlighting some of its outstanding films – 14 of them in this week's special issue.

Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018 will be broken down into The Spotlight Stage and The Discovery Stage. The Spotlight Stage will feature high-profile, major-interest films from internationally renowned directors, and The Discovery Stage will feature new filmmakers creating some of the year's most interesting debut work. For our GEMS cover story, we preview the Festival and also interview director Cristina Gallego. Cristina received Colombia's first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film back in 2015 for her collaboration with her filmmaking partner Ciro Guerra on Embrace of the Serpent, and hopes to give Colombia its second ever nomination with Birds of Passage, which will be showcased at GEMS 2018.

Season is also time for the annual National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami, taking place this Saturday, October 6 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Join me to celebrate our LGBTQ community at the Gala and recognize this year's honorees. Robin Roberts and Sam Champion will receive the 2018 National Leadership Award, and South Florida activists and philanthropists Charles Million and Tim Nardi will receive the 2018 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award. In Out & About, we preview the Gala and sit down for an inspiring interview with Sam to discuss his career, coming out on national TV, marrying his husband, his passion for community advocacy, and the importance of fighting for our rights and full equality.

On our cover and centerfold, we showcase some sexy photos of model Greg Carter from Fribourg, Switzerland taken by Photo Studio Miami; and in Top Trax, DJ FR8-O reminds us that seasons come and seasons go, but the dance floor never stops, so it's time to enjoy eight fresh just out remixes of the new season.

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OUT & ABOUT

By Rafa Carvajal

LET'S CELEBRATE AT

THE NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE GALA – MIAMI

Robin is the co-anchor of Good Morning America on ABC. The ABC News website explains that "under her leadership, the broadcast has won five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program and the 2017 People's Choice Award for Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team." Also, in December 2013, Robin publicly acknowledged her longtime partner, Amber Laign. Sam is a five-time Emmy and Peabody award-winning anchor best-known for his work on Good Morning America, where he became the first news anchor to come out publicly. Sam is also a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community who has raised awareness of HIV prevention, a recipient of the Human Rights Campaign's Visibility Award, and one of the first openly gay news personalities in the world.

Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Jai Rodriguez, best known as the 'Culture Vulture' on the Bravo network's reality television program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, will emcee this year's Gala. Singer-songwriter Kimberley Locke, of American Idol fame, will also perform live.

PHOTOS BY JUAN SACO MIRONOFF. MIAMIGAYBLOG.COM

s a proud sponsor of the annual National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami, Wire Magazine invites you to join us this Saturday, October 6 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach to celebrate our LGBTQ community and recognize this year's honorees. Robin Roberts and Sam Champion will receive the 2018 National Leadership Award, and South Florida activists and philanthropists Charles Million and Tim Nardi will receive the 2018 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award.

"OUR MARRIAGE, IN ALL WAYS, HAS MADE ME A BETTER PERSON AND BEING "OUT" IN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY LIKE SOUTH FLORIDA IS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE." - SAM CHAMPION

We sat down with Sam Champion to discuss his career, advocacy efforts and the importance of fighting for our rights and full equality.

Rafa Carvajal: Tell our readers about your professional background and your advocacy for the LGBTQ community?

Sam Champion: People think I've been with ABC forever! My first jobs were local news in Paducah, KY and Jacksonville, FL. It was my third job that took me to New York City. I have worked on all three networks and every Cable News Network (except Fox News), but most people seem to remember my years at Good Morning America, where I started while working at WABC in 1988. It was in NYC that I started focusing on raising money for AIDS research and support groups, after my best friend hid his diagnosis and needlessly died.

Being outed while working in NYC in the '90s, gave me the unique opportunity to be visible in the community when homophobia in the News business was unforgiving and rampant. We faced many challenges today, but it's wonderful to see the progress our community has made in the last 30 years.

RC: How did you feel when you found out you were going to be honored with the National Leadership Award at this year's Task Force Gala – Miami?

SC: I am very touched and honored. My husband and I understood there would be good sides and bad sides of "visibility" when we announced our engagement on Good Morning 8 WIREMAG.COM #40 2018

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America almost seven years ago. We had no plan or intent to be leaders, we, like others, just wanted to simply express our love and share our family openly.

RC: What does this honor mean to you?

SC: It's very emotional for me when I think of all the incredible people who have been honored by the Task Force. There will be people in that room on October 6 that have devoted their lives working with and for our community every day. I want to thank them! I see it as a challenge to be more visible here at home... to do more.

"I ONCE BELIEVED HATE AND BIGOTRY COULD BE PUT-DOWN OR KILLED...

NOW OLDER, I KNOW IT WILL LIVE FOREVER AND NEEDS TO BE BATTLED AGGRESSIVELY, FORCEFULLY, AND LOUDLY... DAILY." - SAM CHAMPION

RC: What were your concerns when you decided to become the first news anchor to come out publicly? How did coming out publicly change your life?

SC: I was at the top of my career and we knew there were people who were opposed to it. Actively against it! But, I am lucky to be in love with the most amazing human being I have ever met.

Being honest about that love was more important than any possible risk or "blowback." We realized in telling the story later, we had no idea

PHOTOS BY JUAN SACO MIRONOFF. MIAMIGAYBLOG.COM

RC: I have been watching Good Morning America every morning for years. What are your thoughts regarding sharing this great honor with Robin Roberts, your former GMA colleague?

SC: This brings me great joy, and it's a dream come true to share another important moment at this stage of our lives! When Good Morning America became number one for the first time in 20 years, people said it was the real "chemistry" and that we were a "family." They were seeing and feeling the truth. In my heart, Robin and her family are honestly a part of our family. I feel like I grew up with her and we have shared so many of life's important milestones together.

how much love and support we would receive from the public. The next day, taxi and bus drivers were honking and waving... people were crossing the street to give us their congratulations or a copy of the newspaper. We were floored. Not long after that, while in line at airport security, there was a commotion in the long line behind us. A woman was shaken and crying as she pushed her way through the line. When she got near us, she told us the story of her daughter in the military who was announcing her love and marriage because of watching us on TV. She was so proud and happy, and that's when we realized how intensely our announcement had impacted others. Our marriage, in all ways, has made me a better person and being "out" in a supportive community like South Florida is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

RC: What do you think are the best tools at the disposal of our LGBTQ community to continue fighting for full equality and equal rights?

SC: Visibility! What we are doing on October 6 is our best and strongest "superpower."

Beating back political and social opposition means standing together, finding a loud voice and raising lots of money. Yes, we have every right to expect the security guaranteed by the American Constitution, but today's politics make it impossible to assume those rights will be equally or fairly applied. We must fight for, and secure all rights as forcefully as we fight for our own, and do it by forging unbreakable alliances.

RC: What are you looking forward to the most at this year's Task Force Gala – Miami?

SC: Being a part of the 22nd Task Force Gala has a great feel of history all by itself! It's a long list of community activists and friends who have taken this stage. I am very excited to applaud the work of Charles Million and Tim Nardi! Also – selfishly – excited to be laughing with friends, and possibly share an adult beverage or three.

RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?

SC: If you want to be loved and accepted as the wonderful bright light that you are, accept openly the people around you! And when you hear the terms or face the actions that are meant to bring you down, please hear these words: I love you for the wonderful things that make you unique, colorful, dynamic and exciting... those things are gifts, share them with the world as only you can!

10 WIREMAG.COM #40 2018

PHOTO CREDIT: © DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM | KAVRAMM

RC: In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges facing our LGBTQ community today?

SC: I once believed hate and bigotry could be put-down or killed... Now older, I know it will live forever and needs to be battled aggressively, forcefully, and loudly... daily. As a community, some of our biggest battles are within our own ranks. Gay men and women are every size, shape, color, age, ethnicity, religion and political persuasion. We are stronger than any opposition that seeks to demonize us or to remove our constitutional rights, but only stronger when we use the strength of our common beliefs and experiences and stand together.

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ENJOY THE BEST OF GLOBAL CINEMA AT

MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL GEMS 2018 he fourth annual Miami Dade College's Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018 is set to take place October 11-14 at MDC's Tower Theater Miami. This exceptional festival is a fall extension of the annual, internationally-renowned Miami Film Festival that will celebrate its 36th edition March 1-10, 2019.

Wire Magazine has sponsored and covered the GEMS film festival since its inception, and year after year the films have been true gems. If you haven't been to this festival, make sure you purchase tickets to watch some of the films this year because the lineup is outstanding. To buy tickets, visit gems2018.miamifilmfestival.com.

Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018 will be broken down into two distinct sections, The Spotlight Stage and The Discovery Stage. The Spotlight Stage will feature high-profile, major-interest films from internationally renowned directors.

The Discovery Stage will feature new filmmakers creating some of the year's most interesting debut work. The opening night film of GEMS 2018 on Oct. 11 will be Birds of Passage.

Co-director Cristina Gallego will attend and participate in a conversation with the audience.

Gallego received Colombia's first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film back in 2015 for her collaboration with her filmmaking partner Ciro Guerra on Embrace of the Serpent, and hopes to give Colombia its second ever nomination with Birds of Passage.

This year, acclaimed Spanish actress Bárbara Lennie will be accepting the Festival's Precious Gem Award in recognition for her incredible cinematic achievements prior to the showing of her newest film, Petra, directed by Jaime Rosales. Lennie will also join Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Ricardo Darín in Oscar-winning Director Asghar Farhadi's latest film, Everybody Knows. Cinematographer Diego García will receive the Art of Light Award before the Florida premiere of Wildlife, starring Cary Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal. García will participate in a conversation about his craft prior to the film. Additionally, he will lead a Master Class on Cinematography for attending local industry members and film students. Some of García's previous credits include his Fenix

16 WIREMAG.COM #40 2018

PHOTO LICENSED BY INGRAM IMAGE

By Rafa Carvajal & Michael Bustamante

Award-winning work on Gabriel Mascaro's Neon Bull, and previous Miami Film Festival selections Cemetery of Splendor (2015) and The Darkness (2017).

PHOTO CREDIT: © DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM | VSKA

The virtual reality (VR) sidebar, in partnership with MDC's Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC), will return to GEMS for the second year in a row. This cutting edge exhibition will include five projects of VR, 360° video technology and Alternative Gaming, and will be available throughout the entire weekend. Some highlights include Swamp Scapes and Big Huggin'.

To preview this year's GEMS, we sat down with Director Cristina Gallego from the opening night film, Birds of Passage.

Rafa Carvajal: Who are the main actors in the film and what roles do they portray?

Cristina Gallego: Carmiña Martínez: Ursula (the mother), Natalia Reyes: Zaida (the daughter), Geider Meza: Leonidas (the son), José Acosta: Rapayet (the son in law), Jhon Narváez: Moncho (the alijuna/the foreigner), Juan Bautista: Anibal (the cousin), and José Vicente Cotes: Peregrino (the word messenger).

RC: What was your favorite part of directing the film?

CG: The editing.

RC: What were your biggest challenges directing Birds of Passage?

CG: Creating the complexity in the relationships of a big amount of the characters, and trying to bring the audience inside the tragedy in a way that they can feel and understand how we feel about narcotraffic.

PHOTO CREDIT: © DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM | SASHKIN7

RC: What is the main message of the film, and why is it so important?

CG: For me, it's about the disconnect between the real and intuitive world and how much we don't hear this part of us. The conflict between tradition and modernity is reflected in the way we perceive the world.

"FOR US, THE IMPORTANT THING WITH FESTIVALS IS TO PENETRATE THE MINDS OF THE AUDIENCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE." - CRISTINA GALLEGO. BIRDS OF PASSAGE CO-DIRECTOR

RC: What would you like audience members to walk away with after seeing Birds of Passage?

CG: I think the actual reception is the one that we wanted for the film. The audience goes out, moving, knowing the other side of the history, questioning their role in its history.

RC: Tell us about your background, your experience directing films and how you became a director.

CG: I was a creative producer for around 16 years, with creative concerns that became stronger with the time, especially in the previous process with Ciro – my creative partner and ex-husband. I studied cinema, but as soon as I began to work I focused to become a producer. I started to feel that the border between being a producer and director had started to blur, especially in Embrace of the Serpent, when I explored that creative role deeper. When I realized that, I was producing more for the role that society gave to women. I also realized that we needed to help, take care and carry, but I also realized that I have the need to create, communicate, and that my point of view is giving a complex and new way to see. I started to have confidence that I didn't have before, and I began to share my desire with Ciro of co-directing the film. To give a gender twist to the gangster character, traditionally told from a male perspective.

RC: Describe Birds of Passage in three words.

CG: Power breaking tradition.

RC: What are you looking forward to the most about participating in GEMS 2018?

CG: For us, the important thing with festivals is to penetrate the minds of the audience as much as possible. We feel that the world needs to know the drug trafficking history from our point of view as Colombians. Particularly the history we share with Miami – the other side of the necrotrophic was here (the consumption and U.S. distribution). Miami and Colombia changed forever in the '70s with the arrival of this new business that brought an enormous change in the city, but also with the arrival of the violence and the drug war. #40 2018 WIREMAG.COM 17

SPOTLIGHT FILMS: PREVIEW 14 OF THE OUTSTANDING SELECTIONS FOR THE MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL GEMS 2018 Photos provided by Miami Film Festival GEMS 2018

ANIMAL (Argentina, Spain, 2018) Director: Armando Bo In Spanish, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Antonio is a middle-aged family man with traditional views and a high-ranking job title. He has lived firmly by the rules instilled within him by his parents and grandparents and has no intention of reevaluating his priorities until he is shaken to his core by an extreme situation. Antonio is forced to set aside his beliefs and his limited understanding of life, as he strives to follow his most primal of instincts.

Armando Bo's thought-provoking and darkly comic thriller has been praised for the excellent performance of Guillermo Francella as Antonio, and the boldness of its screenplay.

BEN IS BACK (U.S., 2018) Director: Peter Hedges In English GEMS Synopsis: The most wonderful time of the year is also the most stressful in Ben is Back, Peter Hedges' gripping look at the lengths a mother will go to save her son from himself. When Ben (Lucas Hedges) leaves rehab early to be home for Christmas, his mother Holly (Julia Roberts) is both elated and on edge. She tells him that he can stay for one full day, on the condition that she must have eyes on him at all times. Even though he's been clean for a few months, his family still fears the worst – a fear that turns out to be well-founded. Led by a devastating career-best performance from Roberts, Ben is Back deals with the opioid epidemic with fast-paced urgency and compassion. Writer-director Peter Hedges cast his real-life son and Oscar-nominee Lucas Hedges in the title role, a decision that works wonders here. Because when it comes down to it, this is a film about family: the way we hurt each other, the way we love each other, and the way we pick each other up when we're down.

BIRDS OF PASSAGE (Colombia, Denmark, France, Mexico, 2018) Directors: Cristina Gallego, Ciro Guerra In English, Spanish, Wayuu, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Birds of Passage charts the origins of the Colombian drug trade, through the epic story of an indigenous Wayuu family that becomes involved in the booming business of selling marijuana to American youths during the 1970s. When greed, passion and honor collide, a fratricidal war breaks out that will put their lives, their culture and their ancestral traditions at stake.

18 WIREMAG.COM #40 2018

BORDER (Denmark, Sweden, 2018) Director: Ali Abbasi In Swedish, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: When Tina, a highly-skilled customs officer with a keen ability to identify smugglers through her senses, crosses paths with Vor, she is surprised to realize that she is unable to properly assess his intentions. This moment of confusion paves the path for Tina's brash journey into self-discovery as she gradually becomes more intrigued by Val's enigmatic presence. Winner of the Uncertain Regard Program at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Ali Abbasi's bold and cleverly-crafted film beautifully overlaps genres to create a relatable and moving tale.

BOYS CRY (Italy, 2018) Directors: Damiano D'Innocenzo, Fabio D'Innocenzo In Italian, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Two best friends on the brink of adulthood have their worlds turned upside down after a car accident claims the life of a pedestrian. Driven by their visions of a brighter future, Mirko and Manolo surge onward as they become entangled in the volatile and elusive underworld of Rome's most notorious criminals. Under the direction of their new bosses, both men are introduced to an array of enticing yet potentially catastrophic circumstances. The compelling performances by both Carpenzano and Olivetti, along with the D'Innocenzo's Brother's meticulous vision, bring to life this remarkable tale about survival at all costs.

BURNING (Republic of Korea, 2018) Director: Lee Chang-dong In Korean, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: A chance encounter morphs into a mystery in Lee Chang-dong's Burning, a slow-burn examination of anger and obsession where everything is questioned, and little is answered. When Jongsu reconnects with childhood friend Haemi, it seems like things are finally looking up for him. But just as quickly as she enters his life, she leaves for a vacation to Africa. When she returns, she's accompanied by a mysterious man named Ben, who's confident, charismatic and wealthy – everything the hapless Jongsu isn't. Then, things take a turn for the strange when Ben confesses a dark secret hobby, one that Jongsu can't ignore. With Burning, Korean auteur Lee Changdong has crafted a mesmerizing narrative about what happens when class conflict and toxic masculinity fuse together. A cinematic puzzle that film aficionados have been utterly transfixed by, Burning became the highest rated film ever on Screen International's Cannes critics grid, marking it as one of the most enthusiastically loved films of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

CAPERNAUM (Lebanon, 2018) Director: Nadine Labaki In Lebanese, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Deeply resentful of his poor upbringing and his parent's monetarily-influenced decision to support the arranged marriage of his younger sister, Zain, a precocious 12-year-old who is currently serving time in a Lebanon prison, decides to sue his parents on the basis of having been born. Nadine Labaki's politically-fueled drama has a unique storyline that brings attention to the issues of children in Beirut's slums.

Capernaum was presented with the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival along with a 15-minute standing ovation. #40 2018 WIREMAG.COM 19

CHAMPIONS (Spain, 2018) Director: Javier Fesser In Spanish, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Marco is an arrogant and ill-mannered basketball coach. After an altercation at work that gets him detained, he is sentenced to community service, forced to work with a team of differently-abled players who generally operate under the eye of kindly old-timer, Julio. This funny and smart comedy confronts head-on issues of prejudice with a fresh tone.

COLD WAR (France, Poland, UK, 2018) Director: Pawel Pawlikowski In French, Polish, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Winner of the Best Director award at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, Pawel Pawlikowski is back with Cold War, a decade-spanning romance that finds a star-crossed couple separating and reuniting throughout the years. The film starts in 1949 Poland, where we meet Wiktor as he's scouting the Polish countryside to put together a folk ensemble. There, he meets the fiery Zula, and is instantly drawn in by her star potential.

The two start an impassioned affair, but a variety of factors – not least of which are the turbulent time period and their ill-suited pairing – will both keep them apart and drive them head-on towards each other. Replete with sumptuous black and white cinematography and a wonderful soundtrack that flips between Polish folk music to jazz to rock 'n' roll, Cold War is a breathtaking feast for the senses and a punch to the gut for the soul.

EL ANGEL (Argentina, Spain, 2018) Director: Luis Ortega In Spanish, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Based on the true story of one of Argentina's most infamous criminals, El Angel highlights the origins of Carlos Robledo Puch, the teenage baby-faced serial killer whose murder spree dominated national headlines in Argentina during the early 1970's. What begins as a series of milder crimes for Carlos quickly escalates into a series of ruthless killings. Guided by his blonde curls and angelic demeanor, he manages to lure his victims one by one. Ortega's biopic is a visual feast that manages to blend Puch's pathology and the spirit of his times, in a style that follows the director's fascination with outlaws and the underground. The film saw its world premiere at this year's Uncertain Regard Program at the Cannes Film Festival.

EVERYBODY KNOWS (France, Italy, Spain, 2018) Director: Asghar Farhadi In Spanish, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Upon traveling back to her hometown near Madrid, Laura, a Spanish woman living in Buenos Aires, seems pleased to be reuniting with old friends and family members as they prepare for a wedding. However, the joyful ambiance quickly dissipates following the unexpected chain of events which includes the sudden disappearance of Laura's daughter and the unveiling of some dark secrets. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Asghar Farhadi, Everybody Knows marks his first time directing in Spain and working with real-life couple and giants of Spanish and international Cinema, Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, as well as the incredible Ricardo Darín. Selected as the opening film of the Cannes Film Festival, this psychological thriller lives up to its suggestive title as a result of Farhadi's masterful direction and an all-star cast who deliver superb performances.

20 WIREMAG.COM #40 2018

HOPELESSLY DEVOUT (Spain, 2018) Director: Marta Díaz de Lope Díaz In Spanish, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: When Ignacio manages to secure a highly-respectable position at the local religious guild, Carmen, a devout Catholic woman who was confidently pursuing the same title, refuses to concede gracefully. Her scheme to overthrow him, however, ultimately leads to a chain of hysterical and comically inconvenient events that often include an eccentric mix of characters. Marta Diaz De Lope Diaz's first feature film playfully challenges conventional norms in this screwball comedy where chaos ensues in every corner. Well-received at the Malaga Spanish Film Festival, Hopelessly Devout was presented with both an Audience Award and a Best Supporting Actress Award for Carmen Flores' portrayal of Juana.

SOUFRA (U.S., 2017) Director: Thomas Morgan In Arabic, English, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: Soufra follows the unlikely and wildly inspirational story of an intrepid social entrepreneur, Mariam Shaar – a generational refugee who has spent her entire life in the Burj El Barajneh refugee camp just south of Beirut, Lebanon. The film follows Mariam as she sets out against all odds to change her fate by launching a successful catering company, "Soufra," and then expand it into a food truck business with a diverse team of fellow refugee women who now share this camp as their home.

Together, they heal the wounds of war through the unifying power of food. In the process, Mariam is breaking barriers, pulling together Syrian, Iraqi, Palestinian and Lebanese women to work side by side and form beautiful friendships while running this thriving business. Soufra will shine a new and revealing light on people inside of the largest refugee crisis in human history, but ultimately this film is about hope, grit, passion and the common bonds created by bringing people together around food as a bridge to overcome all barriers.

WOMAN AT WAR (France, Iceland, Ukraine, 2018) Director: Benedikt Erlingsson In Icelandic, with English subtitles GEMS Synopsis: To most of her acquaintances, Halla seems like an ordinary and amiable woman who works as a choir director. However, during her spare time, Halla's strong affinity for environmental causes lead her to direct havoc towards targets who aren't exactly eco-friendly. In the midst of her rebellion, Halla finds herself reevaluating her current circumstances after the unexpected arrival of a Ukraine orphan. Through its uniquely-orchestrated score, political undertones, and Erlingsson's knack for infusing high-stake situations with satire, Woman At War is a witty and socially-conscious film that transcends genres.

#40 2018 WIREMAG.COM 21

TOP TRAX

By DJ FR8-O

FALLING ONTO THE FALLING ONTO THE Dance Floor Dance Floor Dance Floor easons come and seasons go, but the dance floor never stops. Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Pride around the world, and suddenly it's October. Lucky for you, I've got just what your body needs to kick off the fall – some fresh new remixes! It's time to kick off those flip-flops, slip into your dancing shoes, and down that pumpkin spice latte. You're gonna need both hands to enjoy these Venti anthems of the new season.

"GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!" (A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT) (GUY SCHEIMAN ANTHEM) - CHER Speaking of legends, what happens when one of them covers another? Well, you get all this! One of the LGBTQ's biggest allies is bringing ABBA back, and this remix is perfect for a late night dance floor affair.

P.S. you can give me Guy Scheimen after midnight any day!

"IBIZA" (TOUGH LOVE REMIX) - THE MANOR This track just gives me all the feels. From the slow burn of the intro to the Bob Marley hook of "Sun is Shining" to the deep house climax, it's like the summer never ended. The trio responsible for all this amazingness is straight outta London and quickly taking over dance floors worldwide.

"I'M A MESS" (BARRY HARRIS REMIX) - BEBE REXHA What good is a dance floor if you can't get messy on it. Fortunately for us, pop's newest bad girl gets devilishly disheveled on her latest track, and Barry Harris is there to clean it up with his signature beats and house hooks. Don't forget to check out the video remix by Andy Ajar.

22 WIREMAG.COM #40 2018

PHOTO CREDIT: © DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM | KAVRAMM

"BINGO BANGO" (TOM STAAR & KRYDER MIX) - BASEMENT JAXX The legendary duo is back at it and hotter than ever with this Latin house track. Usually, I like my anthems with a little more chatter, but in this case the music says it all; well that, and the diva chanting the title over the sounds of Carnivale in Brazil.

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"MY LOVE" (DILLON FRANCIS MIX) - MARTIN SOLVEIG Ever since his gargantuan Dragonette collab "Hello" in 2010, the French DJ/songwriter/producer has been unstoppable. With a little help from fellow DJ/producer Dillon Francis, you can add this one to the arsenal of anthems Solveig has built over the years.

"PROMISES" (ERIC KUPPER MAIN MIX) - CALVIN HARRIS FT. SAM SMITH In case you were wondering what Sam Smith has been up to lately, well apparently he's been laying down with Calvin Harris. Laying down vocals, that is. The notorious Eric Kupper lays his magic touch on the remix giving in a sultry vibe perfect for kicking off a night of naughtiness.

"STAND UP" (NICK ROCKWELL REMIX) - DIRTY WERK Some classics should be left alone, but this one is definitely an exception. This 1996 anthem by Love Tribe was in every DJ's wheelhouse and still stands up over two decades later. Nick Rockwell gives it a good polish, to get it ready for the next 20 years.

"TIE ME DOWN" (STADIUM X MIX) - GRYFFIN It doesn't matter if you're 50 shades of gay or vanilla as they come.

This track will make you wanna let loose on the dancefloor, gym or anywhere you hear it play. With the help of vocalist Elley DuhĂŠ, the remixer to the stars, Gryffin keeps the energy high from start to finish.

If you're a recording artist, producer or musician and would like your work featured in TOP TRAX, hit me up at abarrios@wiremag.com.

24 WIREMAG.COM #40 2018

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