El Leyton
Chile,
2002, 95 min. Directed by Gonzalo Justiniano
One of Chile’s most celebrated filmmakers, Justiniano masterfully
navigates through the borders of comedy and tragedy in this lively drama
where a love triangle disrupts the quiet life of a small fishing village
on the Pacific coast. Handsome Leyton is a carefree bon vivant, a womanizer
who is especially popular among ladies whose husbands can’t satisfy
their sexual desires. Nothing like Leyton, his best friend and partner,
Modesto, is a hardworking fisherman obsessed with progress. A tragic triangle
unravels as Modesto marries beautiful young Marta, who longs for the sexual
satisfaction Modesto is incapable of providing and Leyton happily fulfills.
Outstanding performances, a charming setting and a sardonic sense of humor
make this tale of lust, friendship and murder a compelling and highly
enjoyable film.
“Strong, impassionate performances of Mr. Saez, Mr. Wigdorsky and Ms Lo.” — Stephen Holden, New York Times
“The rhythms of the film are as lulling and resonant as the tides its characters clock their days by.” — Leah Greenblatt, Time Out NY
“Set in a part of the world we rarely see, this atmospheric film creates an unsettling world with mythical overtones.” — New York Magazine
“El Leyton is directed in a generous and magnificent way by Gonzalo Justiniano, and it is performed by an extraordinary ensemble of actors.” — Ángel Fernández-Santos, El País-Madrid
“Justiniano’s film never stoops to the level of cautionary moral tale, and it admirably steers clear of creating a narrative of hero, villain, and victim… This treatment would gratify even Flaubert’s exacting sensibility, as the story is thus purged of banal, by-the-numbers melodrama, and any airy sense of “romantic” tragedy is deftly banished.” — Peter Theis, Offoffoff.com
“The grainy cinematography, shot on digital video, lends itself to the sparse working-class environment of this well-paced mixture of dark comedy and tragedy.” – Kent Turner, Film-Forward.com
Nominated for MTV Movie Award — MTV Movie Awards, Latin
America 2001
Nominated for Golden Seashell — San Sebastián International Film
Festival 2002
Golden India Catalina for Best Supporting Actor — Cartagena Film Festival
2003
Golden Egret for Best Actress — Miami Latin Film Festival 2003
OFFICIAL SELECTION:
Toulouse Latin America Film Festival 2003
Film by the Sea Film Festival 2003
Latin American Film Festival, New York 2003