Gender liberation and the relationship between the sexes provide the main perspective of this year's Latin American Film Festival.

The festival, which consists mostly of documentary films, begins at 7 each evening and runs today through Thursday in Schwab Auditorium. Admission is free.

"The Latin American Film Festival is one way to help understand cultural diversity," said Claudia Alfonso, President of the Latin American Student Association. She said her organization participated in the festival, now in its second year, in order to promote Latin American understanding.

"We are interested in activities that will promote and diffuse our culture, to promote understanding both between Latin American countries (themselves) and between Latin American countries and the United States," she said.

While most of what is considered "foreign film" in this country comes from France and Germany, other countries have active film industries as well. Alfonso said that many Americans do not realize the richness of the Latin American artistic community.

Renowned Columbian film critic Margarita de la Vega Hurtado will kick off each evening with an introduction of the films, and wrap up the screenings by leading in the discussion to follow. The first night, Hurtado will give an overview of Latin American movies and how they have evolved, Alfonso said. The films span the time period from the early 1970s to 1989.

One documentary, "Love, Women and Flowers" highlights the dangerous working conditions for the women who work in the Columbian flower industry. Made by a husband and wife team, the film won Best Documentary at the Environmental Film Festival. "It's a work that's rooted in grass roots political struggle," Lee said.

Alfonso said this year's films are more down-to-earth than those shown at last year's festival. "It should be a more relaxed environment than last year because the films last year were a little bit bizarre," Alfonso said.

The Latin American Film Festival is sponsored by the School of Communications, the Office of International Programs and the Latin American Student Association.