‘Samsara’ Director’s New Film ‘Ariel’ Unveiled: A Surreal Journey to the Azores

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The movie “Ariel,” directed by renowned Galician filmmaker Lois Patiño (whose previous work “Samsara” was a hit at the Berlin Film Festival), has been granted international distribution rights by Lights On. This captivating feature is scheduled to debut globally at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) on February 1, where it will be showcased in the harbor section, a venue known for presenting cutting-edge and inventive contemporary films.

The narrative revolves around Agustina Muñoz, a talented Argentinean actress, who journeys to the Azores Islands for a performance of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” by the Galician theater group, Voadora.

Following an unusual occurrence during the ferry voyage, she observes odd conduct among the island’s residents instead. Led by a cryptic figure called Ariel, the actress journeys through a fantastical environment where reality and imagination intertwine, resulting in a hazy, dream-like landscape.

This film is a collaborative effort between Filmika Galaika and Bando à Parte from Spain and Portugal, filmed on-site in the Azores. Patiño contributed to the script and partnered with cinematographer Ion de Sosa to create the dreamlike visuals. The ensemble features Muñoz (known for “Rara” and “Viola”), Irene Escolar (“The Girls Are Alright,” “An Autumn Without Berlin”), as well as performers from the Galician Voadora company, such as Hugo Torres, Marta Pazos, and José Díaz.

As a thrilled admirer, I’m overjoyed to announce that we at Lights On are collaborating again with the talented Lois Patiño on his latest masterpiece, ‘Ariel.’ This project is a testament to Lois’s ability to craft something extraordinary and distinctively his own. The audience will be drawn into an enchanting world where the lines between reality and imagination become indistinguishable. We can hardly wait to share this incredible work with the world!

filmmaker Patiño, recognized for his contemplative and visually captivating works, characterized “Ariel” as a production inspired by the yearning to delve into William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” from the viewpoint of Ariel, the air spirit. He elaborates that initially, it was about examining the character, but gradually, it expanded to encompass the broader scope of Shakespeare’s work, pondering how and where the poetry, humanity, and depth found in his texts can provoke us even today.

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2025-01-31 19:17