Alemania
Description
María Zanetti’s vivid debut feature, inspired by her own family’s story, tells the story of Lola, a 16-year-old who dreams of escaping her challenging homelife. Lola struggles with school and driving lessons but the mental illness of older sister Julieta presents greater challenges. Julieta consumes their parents’ time and money, leaving Lola often ignored, at constant odds with her mother, and dreaming of a different life. Maite Aguilar makes an indelible screen debut as a young woman yearning for refuge and security in this complex drama that drifts between a teen’s inherent need to embark on her own path and the difficulties her parents face in meeting the disparate needs of their daughters. Striking cinematography further enhances this vibrant coming-of-age tale, which won the Best Director and Best Screenplay prizes at Cine Ceará—Ibero-American Film Festival.
Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Film Community Partner
Biographies
Argentinian director María Zanetti has over 10 years’ experience directing music videos and commercials as well as films. Her short films include Ping Pong Master (2011), Chivilcoy (2013), Me da lo mismo (2017), and Furia (2020). She also helmed a documentary series, Gastro (2019). Alemania, her debut feature, was awarded the 2021 Artekino International Prize when she brought the project to the San Sebastián Film Festival’s Europe-Latin American Forum.
