The Message

Director:

Ivan Fund

Genre:

Feature film

Country/Region of production:

Argentina, Spain, Uruguay

Awards and nominations:

Official selection, Tiantan Award, 15th Beijing International Film Festival

Silver Bear Jury Prize, 75th Berlin International Film Festival

Synopsis:

Set during the peak of Argentina's economic crisis, "The Message" follows a nine-year-old girl with the extraordinary ability to communicate with animals. Alongside her opportunistic guardians, she offers pet medium services to make a living. Traveling in a small camper van across the Argentine countryside, they are on their way to visit the girl's mother, who is hospitalized in a psychiatric institution. As the journey unfolds, they must navigate their own struggles with family communication, while also confronting the tension between innocence and opportunism, and the fine line between truth and deception in their supernatural business.

Why we recommend it:

The girl's gift introduces a fantastical element that envelops the story in a mysterious atmosphere while the film probes themes of humanity, family bonds and the search for hope amid hardship. The cast delivers compelling performances, particularly Anika Bootz, who delicately captures the innocence and sensitivity of the young protagonist. The cinematography is another standout aspect – showcasing the Argentine countryside in all its natural splendor, it brings visual depth and poetic resonance to the film.