A few months after its acclaimed premiere at Cannes, Mexican director Amat Escalante's fifth feature Lost in the Night is eagerly awaited by audiences. Scheduled for release on October 4, 2023, the film promises immersion in a harrowing mystery set in the heart of Mexico.
Shot in the state of Guanajuato in early 2021, Escalante continues his tradition of presenting works with tough themes and contemplative visual storytelling. Having already made an impression at Cannes with his previous films Sangre in 2005, Los Bastardos in 2010, and the award-winning Heli in 2013, the curiosity surrounding Lost in the Nightis palpable.
Co-written with his brother Martín Escalante and Paulina Mendoza, Amat also called on non-professional actors for this project, holding an open audition in 2020. The authenticity these actors bring to his films has always been one of Escalante's signatures.
The plot of the film, although kept secret for a long time, follows Paloma, a teacher and activist. After protesting against the local mining industry, she mysteriously disappears. Five years later, her 20-year-old son Emiliano decides to investigate the disappearance. His quest leads him to the summer home of the Aldama family, headed by the influential matriarch, Carmen Aldama. Through this search, the film promises an intense tale of secrets, lies and the quest for truth.
Escalante's style, blending deep social themes with contemplative storytelling, was recognized in particular with La Region sauvage, which won him the Best Director award at the Venice Film Festival. His contribution to episodes of the Netflix series Narcos México also underlines his versatility and talent.
In a small Mexican town, Emiliano is searching for those responsible for his mother's disappearance. An environmental activist, she opposed the local mining industry. With no help from the police or the justice system, his search leads him to the wealthy Aldama family.
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