Chilean Drama ‘The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo’ Wins Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes

Chilean film “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo” won the Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes. Directed by Diego Céspedes, it follows eleven-year-old Lidia in a mining town during a mysterious disease outbreak. Other awards included Jury Prize for “A Poet,” Best Screenplay for “Pillion,” and Best Director for Tarzan and Arab Nasser. The festival’s jury was notable for its diversity.

The Chilean film “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” directed by Diego Céspedes, achieved a significant milestone by winning the prestigious Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. This drama, set in 1982, chronicles the life of eleven-year-old Lidia, who resides with her loving queer family in a remote mining town in northern Chile. As a mysterious and lethal disease begins to permeate the area, local legends suggest it spreads between men through love-struck glances. This backdrop propels Lidia into a quest to uncover the truth behind the myth and defend her family amid the ensuing panic.

In other notable achievements at Cannes, Colombian filmmaker Simón Mesa Soto’s “A Poet” took home the Jury Prize. The film, Soto’s second feature, tells the story of Oscar Restrepo, a once-promising poet whose life has become a caricature of an artist in obscurity. His encounter with Yurlady, a talented teenage girl from a modest background, offers him a flicker of hope, but it also challenges the course of her future.

The Best Screenplay award was given to “Pillion,” which marks the debut of British director Harry Lighton. The film revolves around Colin, portrayed by Harry Melling, a shy young gay man who explores his sexuality when he becomes involved with Ray, played by Alexander Skarsgård, a biker who takes on a dominant role in their relationship.

The Best Director accolade went to Palestinian siblings Tarzan and Arab Nasser for their film “Once Upon a Time in Gaza.” Performance Awards recognized Cléo Diara for her role in “I Only Rest in the Storm” and Frank Dillane for his part in Harris Dickinson’s “Urchin.”

This year’s jury was helmed by UK director and screenwriter Molly Manning Walker, accompanied by a diverse group including French-Swiss filmmaker Louise Courvoisier and Croatian director Vanja Kaludjercic, among others. The panel evaluated a broad spectrum of films that showcased creativity and storytelling for which Cannes is renowned.

In summary, the Cannes Film Festival highlighted an array of films, with “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo” winning the top Un Certain Regard Prize. Other notable achievements included Jury Prize winner “A Poet” and Best Screenplay winner “Pillion.” This year’s festival underscored the rich storytelling from different cultures, featuring a talented and diverse jury to assess the cinematic offerings.

Original Source: ca.news.yahoo.com