February in Argentina’s Northeast can be uncomfortably hot and humid. Bodies become sluggish and sticky... and tensions rise. Mecha is in her 50’s and must deal with four accident-prone teenagers, a husband who dyes his hair and the tedious problem of sullen servants. Nothing that a few drinks can't cure. Tali is Mecha's cousin. She has four noisy small children and a husband who loves his house, loves his kids, and loves to hunt. Mecha and her family spend their summers at a country estate whose glory has long faded, and where the two families, reunited by an accident, will attempt to survive a summer from hell. With uncompromising talent, Martel’s astonishing feature debut — which preceded her latest The Holy Girl — brilliantly depicts the decadence the Argentine middle-class through this family’s story.

“A remarkable debut film” — Stephen Holden, The New York Times

“A debut feature that's assured in every aspect.” — Amy Taubin, Village Voice

“Superb filmmaking.” — J. Hoberman, Village Voice

"The triumph of La Cienaga lies in Martel's way of fashioning the kind of ensemble performance that draws us in by convincing us we're watching behavior, not acting." — Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Aetna Theater at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Guild Theatre

Avon Theatre

Loft Cinema

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

The Cinema Tropical Film Series USA is sponsored by The New York Times.

For more information visit www.cinematropical.com or call (212) 592-3428