Monterrey Film Festival: A cinematic journey through diverse narratives
From September 25 to October 2, the 20th edition of Mexico’s Monterrey Film Festival will showcase nearly 100 films, selected from prestigious festivals like Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, and SXSW. This year’s lineup includes Mexican, Latin American, and world premieres of both fiction and documentary features, many of which are directed by first-time filmmakers. Here are ten standout titles that promise to captivate audiences.
The blue star: A musical odyssey
The Blue Star, directed by Javier Macipe, is an Ibero-American co-production involving Spain’s Mod Producciones, Macipe’s El Pez Amarillo, Cimarrón, and Argentina’s Prisma. Set in the 90s, the film follows Mauricio, a renowned Spanish rock musician, as he embarks on a journey across Latin America to reconnect with his roots. Along the way, he meets Don Carlos, an aging musician who has composed some of his country’s most famous folk songs but struggles to make ends meet. Together, they form a quirky, Quixote-like duo destined for commercial failure. The Blue Star promises a heartfelt exploration of music and identity.
Carnalismo: Brotherhood on wheels
Carnalismo, directed by José Luis Cano, offers a deep dive into the Low Biker community in Durango, Mexico. This documentary captures the strong bonds forged through a shared love of cumbia music and bicycles, while also challenging the everyday prejudices the community faces. Cano, a programmer for the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival since 2019, brings his experience as a music video director and independent documentary producer to this compelling narrative. Carnalismo is a world premiere that promises to resonate with audiences.
Dog on trial: A legal comedy with a twist
Dog on Trial, directed by Laetitia Dosch, is a comedy that won the Palm Dog at Cannes 2024. The film centers on Avril, a young lawyer who goes to great lengths to save her client, a repeat-offender dog, from being euthanized. Through this journey, Avril learns to embrace the complexity of her own humanity. This marks Dosch’s directorial debut, having previously starred in acclaimed films like Justine Triet’s Age of Panic and Léonor Serraille’s Jeune Femme. Dog on Trial is a must-watch for its unique blend of humor and heart.
Eat the night: A digital descent
Eat the Night, directed by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel, tells the story of Pablo, a small-time dealer, and his teenage sister Apolline, who share an obsession with the online game Darknoon. As Pablo falls for the enigmatic Night, he neglects Apolline, leaving her to face the impending shutdown of their virtual world alone. The film, which premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight in 2024, explores the chaotic intersection of digital and real lives. Eat the Night is a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of modern relationships.
Fragmentos de olvido: Memory manipulation
Fragmentos de Olvido, directed by Rubén Villa, revolves around David, a skilled therapist in memory manipulation who attempts to save his dying wife by implanting her memories into an unsuspecting patient. However, his plan spirals into a dark, unforeseen nightmare. Villa’s debut feature promises a thought-provoking exploration of memory and identity. Fragmentos de Olvido is a world premiere that will leave audiences questioning the nature of reality.
Good one: A family’s emotional journey
Good One, directed by India Donaldson, follows 17-year-old Sam as she joins her father and his friend on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills. As the two men bicker and revisit old grievances, Sam finds herself caught in the middle, trying to mediate. When tensions boil over, Sam confronts her father’s emotional shortcomings and decides to shed her role as the “good one” in the family. This drama, which premiered at Sundance 2024, offers a poignant exploration of the parent-child bond. Good One is a film that will resonate with anyone who has navigated complex family dynamics.
The in between: A bi-cultural exploration
The In Between, directed by Robie Flores, is an intimate documentary that humanizes and celebrates the resilience of a thriving bi-cultural, bi-national community. Flores returns to her childhood hometown of Eagle Pass to recapture what it was like to grow up along the U.S.-Mexico border. Backed by several prominent film organizations, this documentary had its world premiere at SXSW. The In Between offers a heartfelt look at the complexities of border life.
Retaguardia: Unfilmed antifascist cinema
Retaguardia, directed by Ramón Lluís Bande, compiles a collection of unfilmed short films from Republican Asturias of 1937, made into a full-length feature. Drawing from the lessons of Soviet propaganda cinema, this documentary is supported by period materials and photographs, essays, and drawings by leading pundits of the time. Retaguardia offers a unique peek into antifascist propaganda cinema that never was but could have been.
Wild diamond: Aspirations and reality
Wild Diamond, directed by Agathe Riedinger, follows 19-year-old Liane, who lives with her mother and sister in Fréjus, France. Fixated on her aspirations for beauty and stardom, she auditions for a reality show called Miracle Island. Riedinger’s feature debut blends excess and irony to challenge conventional worldviews, often addressing themes like emancipation and the female condition. Wild Diamond is a provocative exploration of modern aspirations.
Witches: A cultural critique
Witches, directed by Elizabeth Sankey, explores the portrayal of witches in cinema, examining how their depiction reflects views on women, motherhood, and mental health. Inspired by her own experience with post-partum depression, Sankey blends personal experiences with cultural critique. This documentary, which premiered at Tribeca, will be streaming on Mubi by 2025. Witches offers a thought-provoking look at the intersection of personal and cultural narratives.
The Monterrey Film Festival promises a rich tapestry of stories that will captivate and inspire audiences. Whether you’re a fan of music, cinema, or thought-provoking documentaries, this year’s lineup has something for everyone.