Valentina or the Serenity (Spanish: Valentina o la serenidad) is a 2023 Mexican drama film written, co-produced and directed by Ángeles Cruz.[1] Starring Danae Ahuja Aparicio who plays a little girl who will use her imagination to face the premature death of her father.[2] It had its world premiere at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2023 as part of the Discovery section.[3]
Synopsis
Valentina is a happy, adventurous, enthusiastic and curious little girl in her environment full of nature, characteristic of the town of Villa Guadalupe Victoria, Oaxaca where she lives. One day, she receives the news that her father died in a river accident in the middle of a stormy night. However, she clings to her imagination and the promise that her father told her to return with a gift, causing discomfort in the rest of her family who don't know how to make her understand that her father will never return.[4]
Cast
Danae Ahuja Aparicio as Valentina
Myriam Bravo as Valentina's mom
Alexander Gadiel Mendoza Sanchéz as Pedro
Production
Development
Ángeles Cruz was inspired by her own personal experiences related to death, especially the sudden death of her father when she was 9 years old, which changed the perspective of her world.[5] In 2020, during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her younger brother died, which forced her to face the death of a loved one again and was the motivation for making the film.[6] That same year the first draft of the script was completed.[7]
Filming
Principal photography began on August 15, 2022, in Villa de Guadalupe Victoria, Oaxaca, where the director is originally from.[8][9]
