RIFF: "Hombre y tierra" (***1/2)

Maurice Ripke stars in "Hombre y tierra"

"Hombre y tierra" stood out at the 2012 Rome International Film Festival as both the only Spanish language narrative feature and as a film completely comprised of 'found footage.' Writer/director Christian Cisneros' film, co-written by Richard L. Watson, centers around a wilderness survival show host as he struggles to maintain composure and ultimately make it out of the Belizean forest alive. Maurice Ripke stars as our host, Mauro Bosque, and gives one RIFF's best performances.

2012 Rome International Film Festival in review

The DeSoto Theatre marquee.

I had a great time up in Rome this weekend. Bookended with great films, the 9th Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) was filled to the brim with quality features, docs and shorts. Fourteen different countries were represented and several filmmakers, producers, actors and industry tradesmen were in attendance. Great venues situated among a vibrant downtown scene really gave the fest a cosmopolitan, but cozy vibe. It is easy to see why RIFF has a great reputation, even among the older and larger festivals.

You've already seen the reviews I posted for "American Songwriter" and "Born & Raised." Starting this week, I'll be posting reviews for more features from the fest, including "Lessons in Forgetting," "Out on a Limb," "Hombre y Tierra," "La Source," "The Red Machine" and "Heathens & Thieves." In addition to these features, I'll share brief reviews for over two dozen of the short films I screened.

Keep checking back for more RIFF coverage. I've posted some photos from around town after the jump.