Robe of Gems (Spanish: Manto de gemas) is a 2022 internationally co-produced drama film written and directed by Natalia López Gallardo in her directorial debut. Starring Nailea Norvind, Juan Daniel García Treviño, Sherlyn Zavala and Balam Toledo. It competed for the Golden Bear and won the Silver Bear at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.
Synopsis
A woman whose sister has disappeared; another, in the process of a divorce, offers to help her; a third, a commercial police officer, attempts to reform his son, who is fascinated with the organized crime lifestyle.
Cast
The actors participating in this film are:
Nailea Norvind as Isabel
Juan Daniel García Treviño as Adán
Sherlyn Zavala as Valeria
Balam Toledo as Benjamín
Mario Torres as Manuel
Adriana Gallardo as Manuel's wife
Israel Sánchez as "El ratón" Francisco Berdiales as Argentine cousin Reina Carmona as Daughter Diana Galicia as Lupe Ventura Rendón as Ventura Maura Guerrero as Venture's Mother Ollin Winteler as Ollin Manuel Torres as Moska Sayel Sotola as Violeta Axel Sánchez as Axel Edith Salazar as Aurora Eugenia Salazar as Police chief Antonia Olivares
Release
Festivals
It had its international premiere on February 11, 2022, at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival competing for the Golden Bear. It then premiered on April 14, 2022, at the 41st International Istanbul Film Festival, Turkey, on April 22 of the same year at New Directors/New Films Festival, US, on July 24 of the same year at the Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel, on August 13 of the same year at the Melbourne International Film Festival, Australia, on September 22 of the same year at the 70th San Sebastián International Film Festival, USA and on October 11 of the same year at the BFI London Film Festival, United Kingdom
Theatrical
It had its commercial premiere on July 7, 2022, in Argentine theaters and on March 9, 2023, in Mexican theaters.
Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10.
Milagros Amondaray from La Nación called it a denouncement film, but with touches of magical realism and impenetrable sequences that invite you to look even if you want to look the other way. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian highlights the handling of the camera in film photography, making audiences more vulnerable to moments of shock or high impact. On the other hand, Valerie Complex from Deadline Hollywood criticizes the cinematography of the film, calling it irritating that tests patience, and although he recognizes its purpose, but the constant repetition of this element prevents an interpersonal interaction with the audience, the same goes for the type of lighting used and the editing, although It also highlights the existence of beautifully framed shots and the acting quality of all the actors, managing to capture a hopeless passage.