Opens Friday, August 26 Laemmle Monica Film Center
1332 2nst Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 — (310) 394-9744
Director: Jayro Bustamante
Runtime: 91 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Cast: María Mercedes Coroy, María Telón, Manuel Antún
Opens: Select theaters August 19
2015, Guatemala/France, 91 min. (In Kaqchikel and Spanish with English subtitles)
Xcanul is an impressive debut film for Jayro Bustamante. On the Guatemalan highlands a 17-year-old Maria (Maria Mercedes Coroy) lives with her mother Juana (Maria Telon) and father Manuel (Manuel Manuel Antun). The parents are preparing her arranged marriage to businessman Ignacio (Justo Lorenzo), though the young girl dreams of escaping to the United States with her friend and pseudo-lover Pepe (Marvin Coroy).
Bustamante’s debut feature is winner of over 50 international awards—including the Silver Bear at the Berlinale, the highest award ever received by a Central American production. Ixcanul means volcano which has a prominent presence in this feature which almost has a documentary feel to it. It is also dreamlike look at the small community of the Kaqchikel speaking Mayans who live on a small coffee plantation.
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