Bolivia's UTAMA Wins World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance

The Bolivian film Utama, the debut feature by director Alejandro Loayza Grisi was announced today winner of the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic competition at the Sundance Film Festival, which in its 2022 edition was held online.

“A universal story of epic proportions” as described by the film festival, Utama is set in the Bolivian highlands and tells the story of an elderly Quechua couple has been living the same daily routine for years. When an uncommonly long drought threatens their entire way of life, Virginio and Sisa face the dilemma of resisting or being defeated by the passage of time. With the arrival of their grandson Clever, the three of them will face, each in their own way, the environment, the necessity for change, and the meaning of life itself.

In its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the Bolivian film was met with strong critical acclaim. Variety described it as “breathtaking… sublime, quietly elegiatic,” while Deadline called it “extraordinary” and “a feast.” Screen International characterized it as a “visually arresting love story,” and The Playlist as “captivating.” Utama was shot by acclaimed cinematographer Bárbara Álvarez (The Headless Woman), and edited by Fernando Epstein (Monos).

 
 




 
 
 
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