The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival has drawn to a close, and among the many films celebrated, Diego Céspedes' debut feature, "The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo," emerged as the winner of the Un Certain Regard prize. This Chilean drama, set in the tumultuous 1980s, has captivated audiences with its bold storytelling and poignant exploration of themes of fear, prejudice, and queer identity during the early years of the AIDS epidemic.
"The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo" unfolds in a remote mining town in Northern Chile in 1984. The film introduces viewers to Lidia, a 12-year-old girl living within a close-knit queer family. Her family includes her brother Alexo and his partner, Flamingo, a transvestite performer. They find community in "The Cage," a local cabaret managed by Boa, who acts as a maternal figure for the performers. The town is gripped by fear due to a mysterious illness believed to be transmitted through eye contact between men who fall in love, leading to paranoia. When Flamingo succumbs to the illness, suspicion falls on Alexo, who is accused of being a carrier, leading to quarantine and public humiliation. Lidia begins to question the town's beliefs as she witnesses escalating discrimination.
The jury, led by British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, lauded the film as "raw and powerful, and yet funny and wild," celebrating its unconventional approach to a sensitive and important subject. Céspedes, in his acceptance speech, dedicated the award to "all the angry lovers who just wanted to love like everybody else," highlighting the film's message of acceptance and the celebration of existence, "even when it makes others uncomfortable.” He stated that the award "celebrates that fear, that stubbornness to exist just as we are, even when it makes others uncomfortable.”
The Un Certain Regard section, known for spotlighting emerging talents and innovative works, presented a diverse selection of films this year. Among the other winners were "A Poet" by Simón Mesa Soto, which received the Jury Prize, and "Once Upon a Time in Gaza" by Tarzan and Arab Nasser, who were awarded Best Director. Frank Dillane won Best Actor for "Urchin," and Cléo Diara won Best Actress for "I Only Rest in the Storm." Harry Lighton won Best Screenplay for "Pillion."
"The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo" is a Chilean-led international co-production with France, Belgium, Spain, and Germany. The film premiered on May 15, 2025, at the Cannes Film Festival.
The win for "The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo" marks a significant moment for Chilean cinema and underscores the power of film to address complex social issues with sensitivity and artistry. As the film prepares for wider release, it is poised to spark conversations and challenge perceptions, offering a poignant reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and understanding in the face of fear and prejudice.
