FYC | SUJO | Best International Film
The Sundance Grand Jury prize winner SUJO is now Mexico's official entry for the 97th Academy Awards.
Sujo explores Mexican gang violence through the unique lens of a deceased hitman’s son. Combining stark realism with vividly realized dreamscapes, the film transcends its gritty premise to become a profound meditation on destiny.
The film’s cinematography immerses viewers in the boy’s world, employing tight close-ups and ethereal quarter shots to reflect his fear and later amplify his teenage rebellion. Dream sequences punctuate the narrative, expanding as the protagonist’s confidence grows. By the film’s conclusion, a tough but hopeful synthesis emerges—melding his violent roots with his new-world education into a singular, illuminating vision of destiny.
Critics have hailed Sujo as a masterpiece. John Fink from The Film Stage describes it as:
"A visceral tale about growing up in your father’s shadow."
Directors Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Alvarez (Identifying Features) are cementing their place as leading voices in Mexican cinema. Carlos Aguilar from Indiewire praises their work:
"A work of tremendous lyrical potency, even more intricate in meaning and scope than the pair’s earlier stunner, Sujo thunderously demonstrates why Valdez and Rondero stand among those soon to be regarded as the new masters of Mexican cinema."
Robert Daniels from Rogerebert.com adds:
"Quite possibly the best final scene of any film of the year."
Official synopsis:
After a sicario is murdered, four-year-old Sujo is left orphaned and at risk. With his aunt’s help, he survives in the isolated countryside, facing hardship and danger tied to his identity. As a teenager, he rebels and joins the local cartel. Now a young man, Sujo seeks to escape his violent past, but when his father's legacy resurfaces, he confronts the fate that seems destined for him.
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