The LACS Center is building a substantive film collection (on video) about and from Latin America. This includes documentary, educational and historical films, feature-length films set in the region, Latino-culture films, Latin American and Latino music videos and original feature- length films from recognized Latin American directors (mainly from Mexico, Brazil and Argentina). We aim to notably expand these collections and their scope over the next few years. The film library serves mainly class-room teaching purposes and the annual LACS film series, though stronger areas, such as Mexican film or representations of Latinos in Hollywood, could sustain serious film research.

LACS films exist presently in three locations throughout the University, with various lending and use practices.

1) “LACS FILM LIBRARY” - SBS N333
This is the principle LACS collection, which now contains more than one hundred films, about half of them feature-length films, the other half documentary or educational films for class use. There are over twenty-five films on Mexican or Chicano themes (including seven annotated classics of the noted director Arturo Ripstein) and well-used documentaries such as the PBS “Americas” series (ten episodes) and Carlos Fuentes’ “The Buried Mirror” series (five episodes.).

Films are lent on a two-day basis to SUNY faculty and graduate students only. Contact Domenica Tafuro, LACC Assistant, at SBS N335 (632-7517) for sign-out procedures.

Go to the LACC Collection

2) LACS “PERMANENT RESERVE COLLECTION”
These 25 LACS films were first acquired under a University ‘Diversity Grant’ won by Professors Kathleen Vernon and Cora Lagos in 1998. They are centrally placed in the Central Reading Room video collections of the main Melville Library (1st Floor). The LACS films are kept under the separate “Video Permanent Reserve” area behind the main desk. Approximately 30 other Latin-America-related films are also found in this collection, including the five-part “Caribbean Eye” documentary series and another teaching copy of PBS “Americas.” All students or Faculty with current University ID may “rent” these films for up to two-days. Films may also be advance reserved for semester teaching dates. For information, call 632-7110.

3) Melville Library: Main Video Collection
In the same Melville Library Periodicals room, a large video collection is can be perused that although not yet specifically catalogued for Latin American films, holds a substantial number. There are mainly feature-length films and some documentaries such as the History-Channel’s five-part series “Mexico.” Films may be borrowed on a -day basis with valid University I.D.

Consult “Stars” (Melville electronic catalogue) or the Video Collection numeric catalogue for specific titles.