Once Upon a Time in Venezuela
Year: 2020
Country:
VENEZUELA
Language:
Spanish
Run Time:
99 minutes
ONCE UPON A TIME IN VENEZUELA—not too long ago, actually—there was a small village named Congo Mirador floating atop the waters of Lake Maracaibo, Latin America’s largest oil field. In its homes perched on stilts lived fishermen, musicians, and families. Due to pollution, corruption, and neglect, the once vibrant and prosperous community has since deteriorated. Its residents fight to hold onto their way of life as sedimentation causes the village to sink and the developing swamplands bring disease. Knowing their future is at stake, two leaders arise as Congo prepares for parliamentary elections. On one end is Mrs. Tamara, Chavist party representative and local businesswoman known for getting votes by any means necessary. On the other is Natalie, a teacher who refuses to be ousted from her position despite vocally opposing the government. As political tension rises, Congo grows less inhabitable by the day, displacing an increasing number of families. Venezuelan director Anabel Rodríguez Ríos’ beautiful, yet haunting, observational documentary serves not only as a microcosm for her country’s present crises, but also as an empathetic portrait of a community on the verge of extinction. (In Spanish with subtitles) — D.O.
CIFF44 Screenings
Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 5:35 PM
Monday, March 30, 2020 at 1:40 PM
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Accessibility (?)
Closed Captions: No
Audio Description: No
English Subtitles: No
Sidebars
Checks and Balances
Cinema en Español
Women of the World
Competitions
Reel Women Direct Award for Excellence in Directing by a Woman
Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition
Director
Anabel Rodríguez Ríos
Producer
Sepp Brudermann
Screenwriting
Anabel Rodríguez Ríos
Cinematography
John Marquez
Editing
Sepp Brudermann
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