2012 Films
2012 MIFF Knight Ibero-American Competition films
The Porcelain Horse (Mejor no hablar de ciertas cosas)
(Ecuador, directed by Javier Andrade):
In Javier Andrade’s startling debut,two brothers steal a porcelain horse from their parent’s home in order to buy drugs, leading to a fight that will haunt the family for the rest of their lives. World Premiere
I’d Receive the Worst News From Your Beautiful Lips (Eu Receberia As Piores Notícias De Seus Lindos Lábios)
(Brazil, directed by Beto Brant and Renato Ciasca):
Set against a steamy Amazonian backdrop, a sensual melodrama of a beautiful woman caught in an unstable situation between two men. North American Premiere
Blood of My Blood (Sangue do Meu Sangue)
(Portugal, directed by João Canijo):
Two adult sisters struggle fiercely to hold their family together in the harsh world of a Lisbon slum, but theticking time bomb of the situation is in grave danger of exploding. East Coast Premiere
Pescador (Ecuador/Colombia, directed bySebastián Cordero):
After a drug shipment miraculously washes up on a beach, Blanquito (Andrés Crespo) has the opportunity to finally leave his small fishing village and go to the big city, in this major tonal new direction for acclaimed director Cordero. North American Premiere
Bonsái (Chile/Argentina/Portugal/France, directed by Cristián Jiménez).
Based on the seminal novel by Chilean author Alejandro Zambra. Julio, a struggling writer, pens a book about his first experience with love, in order to keep up a lie he’s told his lover. Bonsai marks director’s Cristián Jiménez second appearance in MIFF’s Iberoamerican competition. Florida Premiere
Zoo (Zoológico) (Chile, directed by Rodrigo Marín):
Set in an affluent Santiago suburb, a social commentary on today’s youth follows three teens (Alicia Rodríguez, Luis Balmaceda and Santiago deAguirre) consumed in Americanized customs: malls, the Internet, pornography, skateboarding and angst. North American Premiere
The Cat Vanishes (El gato desaparece)
(Argentina, directed by Carlos Sorin):
When Beatriz (Beatriz Spelzini) picks up her husband Luis (Luis Luque) from the sanatorium, she doesn’t quite believe the psychiatrist’s pronouncement that he is cured. But after the family cat vanishes, she questions her sanity as well as her husband’s in Sorin’s unsettling psychological mystery. U.S. Premiere
Madrid, 1987 (Spain, directed by David Trueba):The balance of power and desire shift during the meeting of an older journalist (José Sacristán) and a young student (María Valverde) in a beautifully-written, dusk-to-dawn meditation on youth, age and the music of the spheres. East Coast Premiere
Violeta Went to Heaven (Violeta se fue a los cielos)
(Chile, directed by Andrés Wood):
Portrait of famed Chilean singer, folklorist and multifaceted artist Violeta Parra (Francisca Gavilán) filled with her musical work, her memories, her loves and her hopes. East Coast Premiere
The Sleeping Voice (La voz dormida)
(Spain, directed by Benito Zambrano):
In Benito Zambrano’s portrayal of the dark days following the Spanish Civil War, two sisters (Maria Leon and Inma Cuesta) find themselvescaught up in the frightening politics of the divided country. U.S. Premiere
2012 MIFF Lexus Ibero-American Opera Prima Competition films
Las Acacias (Argentina/Spain, directed by Pablo Giorgelli):
Already a winner of major prizes at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (Camera d’Or for Best First Film) and the Latin Horizons prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Giorgelli’s road movie unfolds along the highway linking Asunción to Buenos Aires, which trucker Rubén is accustomed to traveling solo. This time, however, he’s got a passenger, Jacinta, and a road full of revelations on the horizon. East Coast Premiere
Expiration Date (Fecha de caducidad)
(Mexico, directed by Kenya Márquez):
After the tragic loss of her son, Ramona (Ana Ofelia Murguía) becomes convinced local handyman Genaro (Damián Alcázar) is responsible for the death. Becoming increasingly obsessed and paranoid, she enlists the help of neighbor to avenge his death. East Coast Premiere
Vaquero (Argentina, directed by Juan Minujín):
Actor-turned-filmmaker Minujín’s profoundly revealing film follows mid-level Buenos Aires actor Julian Lamaz on a darkly comic quest for a leading role in a Hollywood movie. Through an amusing voice-over, the actor endures endless patronizing advice from fellow actors, casting agents and even his family. Minujín’s experience in the Buenos Aires film and theatre community gives the narrative multiple layers of self-referential resonance. U.S. Premiere
The Student (El estudiante)
(Argentina, directed by Santiago Mitre):
College student Roque (Esteban Lamothe) navigates the murky world of university politics, while seducing assistant professor and activist (Romina Paula), in Santiago Mitre’s briskly paced debut. A microcosm for the world at large, the film brilliantly exposes the backroom dealings and negotiations of student politics. Florida Premiere
Speechless (Sin palabras)
(Colombia, directed by Ana Sofía Osorio Ruiz and Diego Bustamante):
After helping a disoriented Chinese immigrant find her way, Raul (Javier Ortíz) can’t help but fall slowly in love with the exotic beauty. Osorio Ruiz and Bustamante prove the language of the heart is the most universal of all in this touching romance. International Premiere
Distancia (Guatemala, directed by Sergio Ramírez):
Tomás Choc travels 150 kilometers to be reunited with his only daughter, kidnapped 20 years ago during the Guatemalan civil war. In order to keep his memories of her alive, Tomas has kept a journal of his daily struggles, which he plans to give her when they meet in Ramirez’s heart wrenching drama. U.S. Premiere
Miami Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film
The Beach Chronicles (USA, directed by Kevin Sharpley) – World premiere
Catharis (France, directed by Cédric Prévost) – US premiere
Cell Phone Zombies (Cel Zombies) (Ecuador, directed by Jorge Luis Miranda) – World premiere
The Dancer (USA, directed by Seth Stark) – Florida premiere
Grandmothers (Abuelas) (United Kingdom, directed by Afarin Eghbal) – Florida premiere
Immune (USA, directed by Andrew Lathorp) – Florida premiere
Shift (USA, directed by Juan Carlos Zaldívar) – World premiere
The Trip (A Viagem) (Portugal/USA, directed by Simao Cayatte) – Florida premiere
The majority of the Miami International Film Festival's lineup will be announced in January.
Stay updated, become a Festival Insider.
