Rita is a 2024 dark fantasy horror film written, directed, co-produced and co-edited by Jayro Bustamante.[1] It stars Giuliana Santa Cruz as a 13-year-old girl who, fleeing from her abusive father, is trapped in an apartment managed by the state from whence she plans to escape with her cellmates in a violent act.[2] It is the first feature co-produced between Guatemala and the United States.[3]
| Rita (2024 Guatemalan film) | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jayro Bustamante |
| Written by | Jayro Bustamante |
| Produced by | Jayro Bustamante Jonathan King Gustavo Matheu |
| Starring | Giuliana Santa Cruz |
| Cinematography | Inti Briones |
| Edited by | Jayro Bustamante Gustavo Matheu |
| Music by | Pascual Reyes |
Production companies | Concordia Studio La Casa de Producción |
| Distributed by | Shudder (United States) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Countries | Guatemala United States |
| Language | Spanish |
Rita had its world premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on 25 July 2024, where it won the best Cinematography Award.[4]
Synopsis
editA 13-year-old girl named Rita manages to escape from her abusive father. She is taken in by a kind owner of a diner, where she finds solace for a time, until she is transferred to a state-run institution that is full of fantastic beings, super-powered girls who plan to destroy the witches and demons that rule the place and are waiting for her to carry out their escape plan.[5][6]
Cast
edit- Giuliana Santa Cruz as Rita[7]
- Glendy Asturias Rucal as Gladys[7]
- Ángela Joana Quevedo as Sulmi[7]
- Alejandra Vásquez Carrillo as Bebé[7]
- André Sebastián Aldana as "La Terca"[7]
- Ernesto Molina Samperio as William
- María Telón as Celia
- Sabrina De La Hoz as Monitora
- Margarita Kenéfic as Ernestina
- Juan Pablo Olyslager as Police chief
- Guie Cuyun as Police officer
Production
editPrincipal photography took place in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, lasting 3 months in Guatemala.[8]
Release
editIt had its world premiere on July 25, 2024, at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival,[9] then screened on September 25, 2024, at the 25th Calgary International Film Festival,[10] and on October 5, 2024, at the 43rd Vancouver International Film Festival.[11]
It was commercially released on August 8, 2024, in Guatemalan theaters.[12][13] It is scheduled to release on November 22, 2024, on Shudder.[14]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28th Fantasia International Film Festival | Cheval Noir - Best Film | Rita | Nominated | [15][16] |
| Best Cinematography | Inti Briones | Won |
References
edit- ^ Cruz, Keneth (2024-08-06). "Rita, la película de Jayro Bustamante que conecta el realismo mágico, la fantasía y el horror". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Rita: La historia de la niña que inspiró el personaje principal de la nueva película de Jayro Bustamante". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). 2024-08-08. Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Rita, una película con talento guatemalteco coproducida con Hollywood". Guatemala.com (in Spanish). 2024-07-28. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Rita gana premio a la mejor cinematografía Festival Internacional "Fantasía" en Montreal, Canadá". IberoNews (in Spanish). 2024-07-27. Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ Toro, David (2024-08-10). "Rita, expone la vulnerabilidad de las niñas en Centroamérica". EFE Noticias (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Rita". Cinépolis (in Mexican Spanish). Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ a b c d e Cruz, Keneth (2024-08-26). "Glendy, Ángela, Alejandra, Giuliana y André: Las protagonistas de "Rita", la reciente película de Jayro Bustamante". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ Mejía, Selene. "Rita, la película que muestra la oscura realidad de muchas niñas en Guatemala". Soy 502 (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Rita". Fantasia International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Rita". Calgary International Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "VIFF 2024: Rita". Vancouver International Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Rita brilla en premier oficial en Guatemala y abre sus alas". UP Relaciones Públicas (in Spanish). 2024-08-06. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ Cruz, Keneth (2024-08-08). "Rita: Dónde ver la nueva película de Jayro Bustamante en Guatemala". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (2024-07-11). "Shudder Acquires Jayro Bustamante's Orphanage Fable 'Rita' Ahead Of Fantasia Film Festival Debut". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ Foreman, Alison (2024-07-03). "Fantasia Fest 2024 Announces Its Stellar Final Lineup with 'Ababouiné,' 'In Our Blood,' and More". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Jury Awards for the 28th Edition of Fantasia". Fantasia International Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-09-26.