Rita — stream Jayro Bustamante's film online

Premiered in 2024 at Guatemala's National Theater, Rita blends drama, fantasy and magical realism to tell one of Central America's most silenced tragedies.

Synopsis

Rita is 13 years old when she flees an abusive father for the big city. She finds some relief when she's placed in a state-run safe home meant to protect girls who are victims of violence. But inside, Rita discovers that the authorities meant to protect them can become a threat of their own. Together with the other girls, she plans an escape that ends in an act of violence that shook Guatemala. Through fantasy and magical realism, Rita turns a real tragedy into a story about courage and the vulnerability of childhood in Central America.

Details

Director and writer

Jayro Bustamante

Year

2024

Genre

Fantasy, horror, drama

Runtime

90 minutes

Original language

Spanish

Countries

Guatemala, United States

Producers

Jayro Bustamante, Jonathan King, La Casa de Producción, Concordia Studio

Starring

Giuliana Santa Cruz, Alejandra Vásquez, André Aldana, Angela Quevedo, Glendy Rucal

World premiere

July 25, 2024, 28th Fantasia International Film Festival, Montreal, Canada

Co-production

Guatemala – La Casa de Producción / United States – Concordia Studio

Why watch Rita

Rita shows that Bustamante's arthouse films don't stop at direct social commentary: here he uses fantasy as a narrative tool to explore childhood, institutional neglect and hope, expanding what Central American independent cinema can be.

Awards and context

• 6 awards and 10 nominations at international festivals
• Guatemala's submission to the Oscars and the Goya Awards
• First Hollywood-Guatemala co-production
• Official premiere at the Miguel Ángel Asturias National Theater, 2024