A 3 Minute Hug by Everardo González
Mexican filmmakers Arturo Aguilar and Everardo González were awarded in the international short film competition at the 2019 edition of Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. The Spanish-Mexican co-production Call Confession / Confeso by Aguilar was the winner of the Best International Short Documentary Award, while A 3 Minute Hug by González was presented with a Special Jury Mention.
In a statement, the jury composed by programmer Opal Bennett, filmmaker Alexandra Lazarowich and journalist Amanda Parris said about Call Confession: “This film enables the audience to experience a mystery unfold in real time. Using found footage to craft a dark, compelling tale, the jury was impressed with the filmmaker’s point of view which shone through. The story propels us into an immersive and surprising journey. This documentary reminds us that truth is often stranger than fiction.” The award comes with a cash prize of $3,000.
In Call Confession set near the village of Aspa in Catalonia, a hunter succumbs to his killer instinct and inexplicably shoots two wildlife rangers he happens upon in an olive grove. When he puts through a call to emergency services, he finds it nearly impossible to articulate why he pulled the trigger.
In A 3 Minute Hug as daylight breaks between the border cities of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, undocumented migrants and their relatives, divided by a wall, prepare to participate in an activist event. For three minutes, they'll embrace in no man's land for the briefest and sweetest of reunions.
The 2019 edition of Hot Docs took place April 25 - May 5 in Toronto, Canada.
