The Colombian film Anhell69, the debut feature film by Theo Montoya, will have its world premiere as part of the 37th edition of the Venice International Film Critics’ Week, the independent parallel section of the Venice Film Festival. Anhell69 is the only Latin American title in the competition lineup of seven feature debuts.
Set in Medellin, Anhell69 explores the dreams, doubts and fears of an annihilated generation, and the struggle to carry on making cinema. A funeral car cruises the streets, while a young director tells the story of his past in this violent and conservative city. He remembers the pre-production of his first film, a Class-B movie with ghosts. The young queer scene of Medellín is casted for the film, but the main protagonist dies of a heroin overdose at the age of 21, just like many friends of the director.
Born in 1992, Montoya is a director, cinematographer and producer from Medellin. He is the founder and director of the production company DESVIO Visual, which is dedicated to the creation of auteur films and experimental films. His first short film, Son of Sodom, was part of the Official Short Film Selection at the of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, IDFA 2020, Clermont-Ferrand 2021 (Special Mention from jury du Prix Documentaire), DISFF 2021 (Grand Prix) and many other festivals around the world.
All seven Critics’ Week competition titles are in the running, alongside with all the debut feature films in the Italian festival, for the Lion of the Future Award with a cash prize of $100,000. The 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival runs August 31-September 10.
