a film by Yulene Olaizola
1920, on the border between Mexico and Belize. Deep in the Mayan jungle, a lawless territory where myths abound, a group of Mexican gum workers cross paths with Agnes, a mysterious young Belizean woman. Her presence incites tension among the men, arousing their fantasies and desires. Filled with new vigor, they face their destiny, without knowing that they have woken up Xtabay, a legendary being that lurks in the heart of the jungle.
Yulene Olaizola born and based in Mexico City, caught attention with her first film, the documentary "Shakespeare & Victor Hugo´s Intimacies" which received more than 30 awards, including San Sebastian, BAFICI, IDFA & La Habana. It was also awarded with the Ariel for best Mexican first film. Her second film "Artificial Paradises", supported by the Tribeca Film Institute and the Hubert Bals Fund, premiered at Rotterdam IFFR in 2010. "Fogo" her third film, was presented at the Director ́s Fortnight in Cannes in 2012. In 2015, she premiered “Epitaph”, a co-direction with Ruben Imaz.
Sofía Oggioni is a Colombian cinematographer with an educational background in fine arts and documentary filmmaking. She worked her way up from the lighting department to assistant camera and finally DP and camera operator. Sofía is one of the first female cinematographers in Colombia, shooting both documentaries and narrative features. Her work ranges from urban landscapes to rugged natural surroundings. Honored for Best Cinematography several times she has collaborated with directors like Beatrix Seigner, Ruben Mendoza, Oscar Ruiz Navia, Carla Forte, Carlos Moreno or William Vega.
