As every year, the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC) revealed the Mexican films registered to compete for Best International Film at the Oscar and Goya awards in 2024. Horror stories, satires, complex characters and powerful dramas will seek to represent Mexico worldwide. Below we present each of them.
The north over the void – Dir. Alejandra Márquez Abella (Goya and Óscar)
Don Reynaldo is a renowned hunter in decline. When the threat of losing his estate and his father’s legacy appears; the dynamics with his family, with his workers and with the land, will be dangerously disrupted. It has the performances of Gerardo Trejoluna, Paloma Petra, Dolores Heredia, Juan Daniel García Treviño and Mayra Hermosillo. It is nominated for the Ariel 2023 for Best Film.
Available on Prime Video.
the last wagon – Dir. Ernesto Contreras (Goya and Óscar)
The film tells the emotional adventure of Ikal, a boy who along with his friends will discover the true meaning of friendship, the importance of growing up and the impact that teachers can have on the lives of their students. It is based on the homonymous novel by Ángeles Doñate. It stars Adriana Barraza, Memo Villegas, Blanca Guerra and Fátima Molina.
Available on Netflix.
Finland – Dir. Horacio Alcalá (Goya and Óscar)
Marta is a designer and takes a trip to Oaxaca to document herself. Her way of appreciating reality and her vision of herself changes when she begins to live with the muxes, a group that fights for the recognition of their gender as one more type in society, while fighting with their own passions, traumas and hidden feelings Her protagonist, Cuauhtli Jiménez, is nominated for Ariel 2023 for Best Actor.
Available on Filmin Latino.
Bonemaker – Dir. Michelle Garza Cervera (Goya and Oscar)
When Valeria finds out that she is pregnant, a sinister entity will endanger her life and, after giving birth, that of her baby. To save herself from her, she will have to delve into her punk past and into a world of urban witches who will guide her to face The Bonesera. Michelle Garza Cervera’s debut feature premiered in theaters in Mexico at the beginning of 2023 and grossed more than $37 million pesos (MDP) at the box office. With 17 nominations, it is the most nominated film for Ariel 2023.
Available on Prime Video.
The fall – Dir. Lucía Puenzo (Goya)
Mariel is a veteran diver on her last chance to participate in the Olympic Games. However, when a terrible truth surfaces, Mariel is forced to confront her own past and ask herself: is winning still the ultimate dream? The tape addresses the issue of sexual abuse and presents a terrible true story. It features the leading role of Karla Souza, who is competing in the Ariel 2023 for Best Actress.
Available on Prime Video.
the great seduction – Dir. Celso García (Goya and Óscar)
In Santa María del Mar, a fishing island affected by poverty and unemployment, hope is resurfaced when a fish packing company plans to settle in the town. However, the requirement for this to happen is that the villagers get a doctor. And what credentialed professional would want to move to such an out-of-the-way location? But Germán, the leader of the island, will not give up and will do everything possible to “seduce” the city doctor Mateo. For example, pretending that American football —adored by the doctor— is the local sport, or that their favorite Indian food is a classic of the gastronomy of Santa María del Mar. All in order to bring life back to what it once was. a paradise full of illusion and opportunities.
The film features performances by Memo Villegas, also known as “Lieutenant Flour”, Oscar nominee Yalitza Aparicio, Pierre Louis, Héctor Jiménez and Joaquín Cosío, among others. It will be available on Netflix from August 30, 2023.
Noise – Dir. Natalia Beristáin (Goya and Óscar)
Julia is a mother, or rather, one of many mothers, sisters, daughters, companions who have been affected by some of the many forms of violence in a territory at war with their wives. Here, Julia looks for Gertrudis, her daughter, and in doing so she will weave networks with different women and her various struggles. It has the leading role of the first actress Julieta Egurrola. In addition, it was part of the San Sebastián International Film Festival 2022 and the official selection of the Morelia International Film Festival in its 20th edition.
Available on Netflix.
Totem – Dir. Lila Avilés (Goya and Óscar)
Sol, a seven-year-old girl, spends the day at her grandfather’s house on the eve of the surprise party that her aunts will throw for her father. As the day continues, everything begins to get more chaotic within the family and the family foundations are fractured. Sol seeks to answer several of the most important whys of life itself. Thus understanding that the world she knew until today is about to change drastically, embracing existence, letting herself go and appearing that so-called breath of life.
The tape marks the return of Lila Avilés after directing the chambermaid in 2018. It was part of the 73rd edition of the Berlin Film Festival, where it received the Ecumenical Jury Competition Award, awarded by ecclesiastical film organizations. It also competed for the Golden Bear at the 2023 Berlinale. The Mexican premiere will take place at the 2023 Morelia International Film Festival.
wheat field – Dir. Anabel Verónica Caso (Goya)
During the summer, thirteen-year-old Sofia moves to the country house, where her cousin Cristina is waiting for her to spend the holidays. During these days of games and discoveries, the two will find themselves submerged in a love triangle with a man almost twenty years older. The outcome of it will mark the passage from puberty to adolescence for both. The film has 4 Ariel 2023 nominations and stars Emilia Berjón (Arcelia Ramírez’s daughter), Alberto Guerra (Ungovernable) and April Michel (Dad wanted).
Available for purchase and rent on digital platforms.
Hurray Mexico! – Dir. Luis Estrada (Goya and Óscar)
Pancho Reyes is a middle-class man with many dreams and aspirations: he has a “perfect family”, is married, has a “dream job” and leads the “life that many would like”. Everything takes a 180 degree turn when he receives a call from his father to return to the town where he was born, La Prosperidad, because that has been the last will of his grandfather, Don Francisco Reyes. It is upon his arrival that a fierce fight will begin between the members of his family, where each one of them will “get the copper”.
Despite the controversy surrounding it and the support of Sony Pictures, which premiered it with more than 3,200 screens (a huge figure for national productions), the film was a box office disappointment in Mexico. It grossed just over $70 million pesos after its premiere in March and it is the second highest grossing Mexican film of the year (behind unhappy ever after). In addition, he faced a very negative reaction from the public.
Available on Netflix.
Which of these films will be the lucky ones to reach such important awards? The AMACC promises to release the titles soon.
Juan Jose Cruz I am one of those who always defended Robert Pattinson as Batman and can see the same movie in the theater up to 7 times. My guilty pleasure? Low budget horror movie.