Chilean Film *The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo* Wins at Cannes

Chilean film *The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo* wins the Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes 2023. Other notable winners include *A Poet* for the Jury Prize and *Pillion* for Best Screenplay. Tarzan and Arab Nasser earn Best Director for *Once Upon a Time in Gaza* and performances recognized across several films.

The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo, a poignant drama from Chile directed by Diego Céspedes, triumphed this evening by snagging the prestigious Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. This film, set in 1982, tells the story of eleven-year-old Lidia, who resides with her cherished queer family in a stark northern Chile desert. As an alarming disease begins to emerge, whispers suggest it spreads via a glance exchanged between two men in love. Accusations fly toward her family, leaving Lidia to unravel the truth behind this myth.

In other notable mentions from the festival, A Poet, by Colombian filmmaker Simón Mesa Soto, secured the Jury Prize. The narrative concentrates on Oscar Restrepo, a man whose poetry obsession leads him to obscurity. As his life becomes chaotic and aimless, he forms a connection with Yurlady, a young girl from modest beginnings, illuminating his existence but possibly jeopardizing her journey into the literary world.

Furthermore, the Best Screenplay accolade was awarded to Pillion, the first feature from British filmmaker Harry Lighton, featuring Harry Melling as Colin, who explores his sexuality when he becomes the submissive partner of a biker named Ray, depicted by Alexander Skarsgård. The award for Best Director was given to Palestinian siblings Tarzan and Arab Nasser for their work on 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 Urchin, the latter directed by Harris Dickinson. This year’s diverse jury was led by UK filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, complemented by French-Swiss director Louise Courvoisier, Croatian director Vanja Kaludjercic, Italian filmmaker Roberto Minervini, and Argentinian actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, underscoring the global scope of this year’s Cannes event.

In summary, *The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo* impressed the jury at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving the coveted Un Certain Regard Prize. The event also celebrated various filmmakers and actors, including the Jury Prize winner Simón Mesa Soto and the Best Director recipients Tarzan and Arab Nasser. The breadth of stories and talents showcased this year reflects the festival’s commitment to elevating diverse narratives in cinema.

Original Source: ca.news.yahoo.com