Alief embraces César Augusto Acevedo’s supernatural drama “Horizonte”

A new chapter in Colombian cinema

The U.K.-French film company Alief has taken on the supernatural drama “Horizonte”, directed by Colombia’s César Augusto Acevedo. Known for his award-winning debut feature “Land and Shade” (“La tierra y la sombra”), which clinched the 2015 Cannes Camera d’Or, Acevedo returns with his sophomore feature. “Horizonte” had its world premiere at the 49th Toronto Film Festival in early September.

A story of redemption and regret

Miguel Angel Govea of Alief expressed his admiration for Acevedo, stating, “We have been fans of Cesar Augusto since his first film, ‘Land and Shade.’” He described “Horizonte” as a “solid story of regret and redemption,” highlighting the film’s lyrical screenplay, mesmerizing visuals, and standout performances by Chile’s Paulina Garcia and Colombian actor Claudio Cataño.

Stellar performances and captivating visuals

Paulina Garcia, known for her role in Sebastian Lelio’s “Gloria”, and Claudio Cataño, who stars in Netflix’s upcoming “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, deliver compelling performances in “Horizonte.” Govea noted that Alief first took an interest in the drama at the 2024 Toulouse Cinélatino Films in Progress 43, where it won the Grand Prix Cinema en Construction prize.

A journey through a war-torn world

The trailer, which debuted exclusively on a major entertainment platform, follows Basilio (Cataño) and his mother Inés (Garcia) as they reunite in death and embark on a journey through a war-torn world. Their mission to find Basilio’s missing father takes them through destroyed towns, abandoned fields, and rivers turned into cemeteries. Once a brutal criminal, Basilio is now forced to relive his past horrors with his mother as a witness. As they wander through this desolate world, they realize that only through great sacrifice can they find redemption and grasp the true meaning of life.

A reflection on Colombia’s armed conflict

Acevedo shared that the film was born out of his own despair, stemming from living in a country that has become desensitized to death. “It hurts to see how we have not only become desensitized to violence, but that it is increasingly difficult for us to have empathy for the pain of others,” he said. Acevedo’s intention with “Horizonte” is to recognize the lives of hundreds of thousands of Colombians killed and disappeared in the midst of the armed conflict, urging viewers to see them as human beings with families, dreams, and things to live for.

A collaborative production

“Horizonte” boasts key players from Latin America and Europe. It is produced by Colombia’s Inercia and France’s Cine-Sud Promotion, run by Thierry Lenouvel, who also produced “Land and Shade.” The film is co-produced by Chile’s Quijote, Luxembourg-based Tarantula, France’s In Vivo Films, and Unafilm, Germany.

Alief’s diverse portfolio

Alief’s current titles include BBC Film’s drama thriller “Edge of Summer” with Josie Walker and Nichola Burley, the sci-fi mystery “The Lonely Musketeer” with Edward Hogg, and the dark comedy “Puddysticks” with Mamoudou Athie and Dan Bakkedahl.

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