Southern Miss, Mary C. to Host Film Screening of La Hora Cera

The University of Southern Mississippi Film Department will present a free screening of the film, “La Hora Cero” on Monday, March 19 in the main auditorium of the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. The event will feature commentary beginning at 7 p.m. and the film screening will follow at 7:30 p.m.

“La Hora Cero” was written and directed by Diego Velasco, a graduate of the Southern Miss film degree program. The film, in Spanish with English subtitles, takes place during a medical strike in Caracas, Venezuela, where the film was shot. The film commentary will feature Velasco and one of the university's film faculty members.

While offering fast-paced action, “La Hora Cero” is a savvy socio-political commentary on corruption - whether that corruption exists on the streets of Caracas, among overzealous law enforcement personnel or the members of the Venezuelan parliament. In the film, Parca, a notorious street thug and hit man, must get a wounded pregnant woman to a hospital for treatment, but the public health facilities are closed by the strike. He and his gang then commandeer one of the private hospitals where the nation's wealthier citizens are still being medically treated. A desperate hostage situation ensues with unexpected results.

The purpose of this film forum is to lay the foundation to develop the film industry on the coast, including the identification and training of skilled craftsmen and technicians needed to persuade filmmakers throughout the region, and the nation, to come to the Mississippi Coast to make films.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 228.865.4573.