Guatemala/France, Drama, 2015
91 min, Color
Kaqchikel, Spanish with English subtitles

Maria, a 17 year old Mayan girl, lives and works with her parents on a coffee plantation in the foothills of an active volcano in Guatemala. An arranged marriage awaits her: her parents have promised her to Ignacio, the plantation overseer. But Maria doesn’t sit back and accept her destiny. Pepe, a young coffee cutter who plans to emmigrate to the USA becomes her possible way out. Maria seduces Pepe in order to run away with him, but after promises and clandestine meetings, Pepe takes off, leaving her pregnant, alone and in disgrace. Maria’s mother thinks abortion is the only solution. Yet despite her mother’s ancestral knowledge, the baby remains, “destined to live.” But destiny has more in store for Maria: a snake bite forces them to leave immediately in search of a hospital. The modern world Maria has so dreamt about could save her life, but at what price…

Austin Premiere

www.lacasadeproduccionfilm.com/#!ixcanul/c48c

About the director

Jayro Bustamante was born in Guatemala and trained as a director in Guatemala, Paris, and Rome. His short film, CUANDO SEA GRANDE, debuted at the Clermont-Ferrand Festival where it won the CNC quality award. His script, EL ESCUADRÓN DE LA MUERTE was selected in the San Sebastian, Guadalajara, Cartagena, Biarritz, Amiens and NALIP Film Festivals. IXCANUL is his first feature film.

Credits

Producer: Marina Peralta, Pilar Peredo, Edgard Tenembaum, Jayro Bustamante
Production Companies: La Casa de Producción, Tu Vas Voir
Screenwriter: Jayro Bustamante
Cinematographer: Luis Armando Arteaga
Editor: Cesar Diaz
Sound Design: Eduardo Caceres, Julien Cloquet
Music: Pascual Reyes
Cast: Maria Mercedes Coroy, Maria Telon, Manuel Antun, Justo Lorenzo, Marvin Coroy

Print Source: Jonathan Hertzberg – Kino Lorber, jhertzberg@kinolorber.com