With its essential themes, ALIAS MARÍA, the second film by José Luis Rugeles, arrives in theaters after touring the world as an invited guest and competitor at various festivals. Among these, its participation in Cannes 2015 stands out, where it arrived after being screened at the Cartagena Film Festival. From there, it went on to the prestigious French event, which, remarkably, did not consider the film's prior release an obstacle.
ALIAS MARÍA addresses dramatic issues such as the participation of children in war, teenage pregnancy, and violence against women. It is a highly relevant work because its story is set against the backdrop of the Colombian conflict, which is currently in the spotlight due to the peace negotiations taking place in Havana, Cuba. The film becomes a powerful tool for raising awareness by showing the conflict through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl.
Rugeles is a director who began his career in film in the 1990s, working alongside the painter and animated film director Carlos Santa. There's no doubt that his artistic vision will bring a unique touch to this powerful story, one that requires cinema to be truly experienced, rather than simply studied academically. Starting November 12th, audiences and the box office will have their say.