The Asociación Nacional de Autores Cinematográficos (ANAC) has announced that the documentary Children of Las Brisas / Niños de Las Brisas by Marianela Maldonado will be Venezuela's official entry in the international feature competition at the 97th Academy Awards.
A story of resistance, resilience, and perseverance, Children of Las Brisas highlights the transformative power of discipline and classical music as tools for survival. The film follows the journey of three Venezuelan children from the impoverished Las Brisas neighborhood as they strive to become professional musicians within the ranks of the renowned ‘El Sistema’ music program.
Over the course of a decade, Edixon, Dissandra, and Wuilly pursue a better future while contending with the harsh realities of Venezuela’s ongoing crisis. Their dreams are thwarted by the country’s dire circumstances, and their struggles mirror the larger societal impacts of living under an autocratic regime.
The film had its world premiere at the Sheffield Film Festival in 2022 and has since been featured at numerous international film festivals. It made its U.S. national broadcast on PBS’ Independent Lens series in January 2023.
Venezuela has yet to receive an Oscar nomination. The closest the country came was in 2014 when Alberto Arvelo’s epic The Liberator / Libertador) made the shortlist for Best International Feature.
