For those who are braving the sub-zero temperatures and endless snowfalls of the northeast this winter, the desire to flee might be constant. After all, even those who dream of a winter wonderland while the mercury is climbing during the summer months cannot possibly survive an endless winter without wanting out at least once. So what are Rhode Islanders and other northerners supposed to do while things remain frigid? There's always the option of cranking up the heat, listening to some reggae, and throwing a summertime party. But that ends up being quite expensive with fuel costs climbing as the temperature drops. So the solution, then, is to go with something that's already there--like a satellite tv connection--and instead look for entertainment that will take one's mind off the dismal climate outdoors.

While plenty of people flipping through the channels might tend to look for surfing films and beach bonanzas, there are other ways of checking out warmer weather that are more intriguing and culturally interesting. In fact, taking winter as a chance to tune into the various channels offering foreign and international fare is a far better choice than simply delving into the same old sun and fun flicks from the 1980s and 1990s. And for those who want to learn a little bit about a different type of cinema while also paying attention to logistics, it makes sense to tune into South American movies on HDTV, since it's actually summer there right now, unlike the freezing cold northern hemisphere.

Where to begin when wanting to look at the various different films out there from South America? Starting in Brazil is a great idea, as there are endless stretches of coastline, people world-famous for being friendly and sensual, and plenty of different tropical themes that most Rhode Islanders stuck indoors for months would give their eye teeth for. So why not choose a film that focuses on the beauty of one of the country's most bustling cities, but also talks about the history of poverty and how things work in the favelas? By deciding to tune into "City of God," viewers are getting an education on the inner workings of Brazil while also enjoying plenty of scenes that focus on relaxing at the beach and running around on hot summer nights. It's one of the most famous films from Brazil, and the directors went on to make plenty of gripping documentaries that definitely won't cheer up those with seasonal affective disorder, so definitely don't look for those on satellite tv.

South of Brazil is Argentina, where a bustling film industry has managed to attract producers and directors from foreign lands while also growing considerable talent locally. For a best of both worlds view at Argie cinema, it makes sense to pick one local film and one made locally that is by someone from elsewhere. With Vincent Gallo as the lead actor and plenty of great on-scene locations picked, Francis Ford Coppola's noir film "Tetro" is a great winter choice. And those who assume that Argentina is tropical (it's not) can see how a city can be sweaty and sultry but nowhere near the jungle. For in-house talent, picking the gritty teen film "Pizza, Birra, Fasos" is a great way to see just how hectic things can get in a big city where the economy has been shaky. IFC and other likeminded channels are the best way to check it out on satellite tv, as it's not as high profile as other picks. Uplifting it's not, but it was a major part of Argentine cinema and is definitely worth checking out.