Film lovers in Asunción will have the chance to revisit the intensity of adolescence through cinema in March 2026. The Instituto Cultural Paraguayo Alemán will host a three-week film cycle titled “Crecer en los Suburbios” (Growing up in the suburbs), focused on coming-of-age stories from Latin America.
The screenings will take place on three consecutive Fridays at the cultural centre’s Goethe-Zentrum venue, offering audiences a selection of films that explore youth, identity, and social pressures in the region. The programme will feature Por tu bien (2024) by Axel Monsú, Entremedio (2024) by Martín Gamaler, and Hoy partido a las 3 (2017) by Clarisa Navas. Tickets include popcorn and cost ₲10,000 (approximately US$1.5). The hall has a capacity for 50 people, is air-conditioned, and all three films will be screened with English subtitles.
According to organiser Yosué Ayala, the idea for the cycle emerged from a previous collaboration with the cultural centre. Later, Mavi Martínez, Tatiana Ríos, and Violeta Estigarribia joined the initiative, friends who helped Ayala with coordination, press relations, and publicity.
Showcasing a new theme
Ayala explained to The Asunción Times that the project builds on the success of a film and debate series organised in 2025.
“Last year, I organised a film debate cycle with the Instituto Cultural Paraguayo Alemán called Amores Convulsionados, which consisted of three meetings to rethink love. That cycle featured German films provided by the Goethe-Institut. It was a success and, together with the cultural centre, we wanted to repeat the formula.”
Ayala, who works as a filmmaker, said the theme of the new cycle also connects with his current creative process.
“I am currently writing my first feature film, which belongs to the coming-of-age genre. Through that process, I developed a deeper connection with this type of story. When we began planning a new cycle, exploring the coming-of-age genre felt very natural.”
He then contacted several filmmaker friends in Argentina to invite them to participate.
“I reached out to Axel Monsú, Martín Gamaler, and Clarisa Navas, told them about the project, and they loved the idea. They are very excited that their films will be screened in Paraguay.”
Stories that reflect regional realities
Although each film has its own narrative, Ayala said the three works share a common perspective on youth in the region.
“Besides belonging to the coming-of-age stories genre, the three films portray adolescence from a regional perspective, almost under the same luminous mantle: the sun. The films present realities that are very close to the Paraguayan idiosyncrasy, and to the daily life many young people experience in our society.”
A small but intimate cinema experience
While this is only the second collaboration between Ayala and the cultural centre, he hopes the initiative can continue expanding.
“For now, the film afternoons are not a regular programme, but we would love for them to become one. We are planning a German film cycle, and we would also like to explore other narratives, such as Paraguayan or Latin American cinema.”
However, he emphasised that the project’s future depends largely on audience participation.
“For these projects to continue growing, we also need the public’s interest. The more people attend the screenings, the more possibilities we will have to continue organising new cycles.”
The coming-of-age stories cycle will open on 13 March with Por tu bien (2024) by Axel Monsú, followed by Entremedio (2024) by Martín Gamaler on 20 March, and Hoy partido a las 3 (2017) by Clarisa Navas on 27 March. All screenings will begin at 19:00 at the Goethe-Zentrum venue of the Instituto Cultural Paraguayo Alemán, located at Juan de Salazar 310.
For more information, check Yosué Ayala on Instagram.
Film lovers looking for more cultural plans this month can also visit the Liminal exhibition by Paraguayan Filmmaker Hugo Giménez, which remains open in Asunción until the end of March.
