Birds of Passage (Pájaros de verano)

Directors Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra (the luminous, Academy Award®-nominated Embrace of the Serpent, MVFF 2015) seamlessly blend gorgeous cinematography in the breathtaking wilderness of the Guajira desert and an atmospheric soundtrack to depict the escalating power struggle between two Wayuu clans in this drama based on an incredible and surprising true story that feels as timeless as a Shakespearean tragedy. During Colombia’s marijuana boom in the 1970s, a Wayuu family is torn between upholding indigenous values of aligned word and deed and amassing money, guns, and power. Prodigal son Rapayet (José Acosta) and seer matriarch Ursula (Carmiña Martínez) try to have it both ways, teetering back and forth between tradition and profits. As the feud escalates and the families grow away from their customs—honoring their ancestors and living a spiritual life—in the increasingly modern world, the film barrels toward an explosive, surprising climax.