http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai Facilitate cutting-edge research about Latin America at UCLA en-us In examining the current state of El Salvador, the role of past civil conflict must be considered, says First Lady Vanda Pignato.http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=124075UCLA professor of Spanish & Portuguese Verónica Cortínez, an expert on Chilean Film and Contemporary Spanish-American Narrative, talked with the LAI about her collaboration with visiting professor Manfred Engelbert in their recently published book “La tristeza de los tigres y los misterios de Raúl Ruiz.”http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=123863LACMA exhibit "Contested Visions in the Spanish Colonial World," examines the significance of indigenous peoples within the artistic landscape of colonial Latin America. The exhibition is on view at the LACMA through January 29, 2012. http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=123066Exhibit examines the significance of indigenous peoples and cultures within the complex social and artistic landscape of colonial Latin America.http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=123041Filmmaker shares documentary that exposes a perilous journey on the "train of death."http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=122514Fowler exhibition "Transcultural Pilgrim: Three Decades of Work by José Bedia" opens September 18. Large-scale figurative paintings and drawings and an installation by José Bedia come together in this major retrospective that explores the artist’s spiritual genealogy as it relates to his Cuban-based religion and its central African source, as well as his explorations of the beliefs of indigenous American peoples.http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=122246The festival (June 16-26) will feature a quartet of Cuban films in this year's International Spotlight: Cuba, co-sponsored by the Latin American Institute. The films depict a country in the midst of political and cultural soul-searching. http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=121713On Friday, April 8, at 7:30, the UCLA Film & Television Archive will present a documentary honoring the iconic Argentinean filmmaker’s life work, reports the Daily Bruin. Prelorán, a former School of Theater, Film and Television faculty member, passed away in 2009.http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=120649The UCLA Latin American Institute played host to five organizations that have been recognized by the Experiences in Social Innovation Contest, a United Nations initiative, for advancing UN-sponsored antipoverty goals through community participation. Last year's winner, the Social Observatory of Maringá (Brazil), seeks to prevent corruption in local government spending.http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=118717UCLA novelist and economist Sebastián Edwards on Venezuela, Brazil, Chile and the false promise of Populism.http://www.international.ucla.edu/lai/article.asp?parentid=117102