A Male / Un varón, has been announced by the Colombian Academy of Cinematography Arts and Sciences as the South American country’s representative in the international competition at the 96th edition of the Academy Awards. The debut feature by Fabián Hernández had its world premiere at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2022, and has participated in numerous film festivals including San Sebastian, Lima, and Sao Paulo.
Starring Felipe Ramírez Espitia, the Colombian drama follows Carlos, who lives in a youth shelter in Bogotá’s downtown, a refuge meant to help mitigate the harshness of life. It's Christmas and Carlos longs to spend the day with his family. As he leaves the shelter for the holidays, Carlos is confronted with the brutality of his neighborhood, ruled by the law of the strongest, the alpha male. Carlos must also prove he can be one of them, while deep inside him, these expressions of masculinity clash with the decisions he must make in order to survive.
Colombia is looking to get its second Oscar nomination after Ciro Guerra’s Embrace of the Serpent in 2015.
