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‘Sujo’ triumphs at the Morelia Film Festival, setting stage for Oscar race
A sweeping victory at Morelia
Mexico’s official entry to the Oscars, “Sujo,” achieved an extraordinary feat by dominating the 22nd Morelia International Film Festival (FICM). It clinched the prestigious Ojo Awards in three major categories: Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. This remarkable success underscores the film’s powerful narrative and directorial prowess.
An acclaimed creative duo
Directed by the dynamic duo duo Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez, “Sujo” is their second feature film. Their previous project, “Identifying Features,” had a celebrated run, winning awards at Sundance and taking the Best International Feature prize at the Gotham Awards in 2021. This year, “Sujo” continued their winning streak by securing the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema this past January.
Exploring the narrative
“Sujo” tells a deeply moving coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of drug cartel violence. The film portrays the life of young Sujo, played by Kevin Uriel Aguilar Luna and Juan Jesús Varela, who grows up enveloped in the brutality of the narcotic world. When his father, a hitman, is murdered, Sujo becomes a target but finds an unexpected savior in his fearless aunt. The film has been praised as an “optimistic alternative to violent drug war movies” for its poignant and humanizing approach, making it a strong contender for critical awards.
A star-studded festival
FICM this year was a spectacle, boasting the presence of legendary filmmakers and actors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Payne, Alfonso Cuarón, and Liv Tyler. The festival, expertly guided by Daniela Michel, opened on October 18 with Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” a French submission to the Oscars that triumphed at Cannes.
Celebrations and screenings
In addition to the grand opener, Francis Ford Coppola’s latest masterpiece, “Megalopolis,” had a special screening where the director was honored with the FICM Artistic Excellence Award. Multi-Oscar nominated cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto also presented his directorial debut, “Pedro Páramo,” an adaptation of Juan Rulfo’s revered novel for Netflix.
An ode to cinematic excellence
The festival concluded on October 25 with Alfonso Cuarón unveiling his latest project, the Apple TV+ limited series “Disclaimer,” adding another feather in his illustrious cap that includes “Gravity” and “Roma.” Alongside these high-profile projects, FICM also showcased top Mexican and international works, celebrating a diverse array of storytelling.
Highlighting Mexican cinema
The FICM dedication to promoting Mexican cinema led to the premieres of influential films like Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” Mark Cousins’ documentary “A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things,” Luis Ortega’s “El Jockey,” DuVernay’s “Origin,” Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man,” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door.” Notably, Sean Baker’s “Anora” also featured, fresh from its Palme d’Or win at Cannes.
Recognizing the best
The festival concluded by recognizing outstanding contributions to Mexican cinema through various awards:
- Best Mexican Fiction Film: “Sujo,” directed by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez
- Best Director: Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez for “Sujo”
- Best Screenplay: Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez for “Sujo”
- Best Actor: Andrés Revo for “Fine Young Men” (“Hombres íntegros”)
- Best Actress: Diana Laura Di for “Violent Butterflies” (“Violentas mariposas”)
- Best Mexican Documentary: “I Died” (“Li cham”) by Ana Ts’uyeb
- Special Mention for Mexican Documentary: “Cracked” (“La falla”) by Alana Simoes
- Best Mexican Fiction Short Film: “Spiritum” by Adolfo Margulis
- Best Mexican Animated Short Film: “The Black Stain” (“La mancha negra”) by Yareni Velázquez Mendoza
- Best Mexican Documentary Short Film: “Looking for a Donkey” (“Buscando un burro”) by Juan Vicente Manrique
- Special Jury Prize: “Renta Imagen: Niño halcón duerme entre visiones de un incendio” by Mauricio Sáenz-Cánovas
- Best Michoacan Short Film: “Imprint” (“Impronta”) by Rafael Martínez-García
- Best Michoacán Short Film Screenplay: “Antesala al primer beso” by Adrián A. González Camargo
FICM stands as a testament to the ever-growing power and influence of Mexican cinema on the world stage. It provides a platform for new voices in filmmaking, ensuring that stories from diverse and often underrepresented communities come to light.
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