Movie spotlight
In the Bolivian altiplano, Virginio and Sisa, an elderly Quechua couple who have lived a quiet life for years, face an impossible dilemma during an unusually long drought: resist or be defeated by the hostile environment and the relentless passage of time.
In the Bolivian highlands, an elderly Quechua couple, Virginio and Sisa, live a traditional life dictated by the rhythms of nature. As a prolonged drought threatens their village and their llamas, their grandson Clever arrives from the city, disrupting their quiet existence. Virginio faces a difficult choice: remain with his ancestral lands and his dying ways, or embrace a modern future that may tear his family apart.
Utama received widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its stunning cinematography, poignant portrayal of aging and tradition, and the powerful performances of its non-professional cast. Critics praised its gentle pacing and its deep connection to the Bolivian landscape and culture, highlighting it as a moving and deeply humanistic film.
Visually breathtaking, capturing the stark beauty of the Bolivian Andes.
A deeply emotional and resonant story about family, tradition, and the impact of climate change.
The performances, particularly from the elderly leads, are authentic and profoundly moving.
Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly praised 'Utama' for its beautiful cinematography and its touching, authentic story. Many found the film to be a powerful and emotional experience, appreciating its focus on a traditional way of life facing modern challenges.
World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2022).
The film's lead actors, Wayra Apaza and Santos Choque, were not professional actors but were discovered by the director in their actual village, living lives very similar to the characters they portray.
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Living a subsistence existence almost 10,000 feet into the Central Andes, the ageing llama tending “Virginio” (José Calcina) and his wife “Sisa” (Luisa Quispe) are beginning to struggle. It hasn’t rained for very long time and the local wel...