GAZE: Finlandia (+ Pre-Feature Short)

CLUB 18+121 min

Synopsis

FEATURE:

Finlandia Dir. Horacio Alcalá, Mexico / Spain, 2021 1hr 37m

The chill of distant Finland is a recurring metaphor in this magical realist feature, but it’s the deep sun-drenched heart of rural Mexico that forms the setting, with its unreal light, ancient traditions and spiritual symbolism. The muxes are the focus of Horacio Alcalá’s story, a community of people who live between genders, and the director uses every tool in the filmmaker’s armoury to bring these vivid outsiders to the screen with tenderness, authenticity, respect and majesty. As the muxes community struggles to keep body and soul together, the encroaching forces of capitalism, colonialism, time, binary gender and eventually Mother Nature herself seem to be pitched against them. This is a story of spirit, tradition and love. There are moments so visually stunning that time – another key theme of the story – seems to stand still. Swathes of colour, breath-taking mise en scene, pin sharp dialogue and a luxurious love of light and shade make this a genuine piece of art.

PRE-FEATURE SHORT:

Bright Heart Dir. Tarek Lakhrissi / France / 2023 / 14m

After being pursued by a black-gloved biker, Jahid flees to a museum for safety. Inside he finds strange and beautiful apparitions that open his mind to the possibilities of the world in spite of its dangers.