Chile chose the UN-respected Grand Prix winner in Cannes, “Flamingo’s Mystical Eyes,” to represent the country in the international functional category of the 98th Academy Awards.
Diego Cespedes’ directorial feature debut will compete for the best Ibero-American film award at the prestigious Goya Awards in Spain.
The film is a lead produced by Quijote Films’ Giancarlo Nasi, and will host its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 9th.
Over 400 members of the Chilean Film Academy have chosen a multi-prize transgender drama, consisting of a wide range of experts from the audiovisual sector across the country and five other nominees, including Sebastian Lelio’s “Waves” (“Laola”), who won the 2018 international feature “Oscars” “Fantastic Woman.”
Variety is described as “a gentle, funny, passionate, and sometimes absurd debut drama (it) packs huge emotional punches.” This story takes place in the early 80’s in a desert mining town during the advent of AIDS. It follows 11-year-old Lydia and her beloved queer family. As fatal diseases begin to spread, superstitious mining communities begin to believe that the disease can be transmitted simply by staring at them or by one man falling in love with another. Lydia is trying to seek the truth behind the myth.
Nasi said: “To be chosen by hundreds of Chilean academies in an incredible process of transparency and democracy is an honor that not all countries can claim. Collective duty gives us the legitimacy and strength of the upcoming battles as we enter Oscars and Goyas.”
“I feel that this is not only a campaign for awards, but a small act of resistance. When the rights of diverse and strange communities are increasingly under attack all over the world, we carry this film as an act of love,” Nasi declares, “Chile is a small but bold country. Flamingo.”
“Our hope is that the academy already has the same urgency and emotion that has moved its audience from Cannes to festivals around the world. And as a member of the Los Angeles-based academy, I am sure my colleagues will be moved to laugh and feel and recognize the political and social urgency that is at the heart of this beautiful film,” he continued.
“This film might convey my name, but it belongs to a generation of artists around the world who really challenge conventions and dares to dare to make different imaginations,” agreed Cespedes.
Courtesy of Diego Cespedes and Quijote Films
“As we step into the Oscar race now, the academy is already connected to what has driven so many people. It’s a story that tells both deep emotions and political urgency. When visibility and expression are constantly under threat, I remind you why this film is important.
With the exception of the Cannes Awards, the film won the San Sebastian Film Festival, the best first feature and special juice award at the Lima Film Festival, and the critic’s Fiplesci Award at this year’s Brussels Film Festival.
The Oscar International feature summary will be announced on December 16th, with the last five candidates announced on January 22nd.
Flamingo’s mysterious gaze courtesy of Quijote Films
