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Chronicles of a Wandering Saint film image

Chronicles of a Wandering Saint

Crónicas de una Santa Errante

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International Premiere

Dutiful and devout, Rita (Mónica Villa, an Argentine institution) keeps a clean church but yearns for something more: beatification. Embarking on an ill-advised scheme to stage a miracle and enshrine her reputation as a living saint, this god-fearing senior instead falls victim to a cruel twist of fate that leaves her, well, a living saint. In the wake of its protagonist’s rebirth, Chronicles of a Wandering Saint pulls back the veil on reality, revealing the angels, demons, and other wonders who loaf about this earthly plane.

Demonstrating a knack for both absurdist humour and graceful visual flourishes, Tomás Gómez Bustillo casts a magical realist spell that bewitches with its heady concoction of anarchic mischief and astute perceptions. Boasting one of the most audacious storytelling gambits you’ll see on screen this year (you honestly won’t believe Gómez Bustillo’s nerve), the film otherwise casually but compellingly builds its case that we coexist with wonders.

A celestial satire as sharp as the devil’s pitchfork, Chronicles is charming as hell.

 

October 6 & 8: Q&A with director Tomas Gomez Bustillo & crew

 

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Director
Cast

Monica Villa, Ana Silvia Mackenzie, Noemi Susana Ron, Silvia Porro, Horacio Anibal Marassi

Credits
Country of Origin

Argentina/USA

Year

2023

Series

Altered States

Language

In Spanish with English subtitles

Film Contact
18+
85 min
Comedy Drama

Book Tickets

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Credits

Executive Producer

Gewan Brown, Doriane Desfaugeres, Samir Oliveros, RJ Glass, Ciro Apicell

Producer

Gewan Brown, Amanda Freedman

Screenwriter

Tomas Gomez Bustillo

Cinematography

Pablo Lozano

Editor

Benjamin Tolentino

Production Design

Doriane Desfaugere

Original Music

Felipe Delsar

Director

Tomas Gomez Bustillo headshot

Tomas Gomez Bustillo

Born in Buenos Aires, Tomás Gómez Bustillo was brought up across Argentina, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the US. After studying Political Science in Buenos Aires, he relocated to LA where he earned his MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute Conservatory. After graduating, he co-founded indie production company Plenty Good. His award winning shorts have screened at Tribeca, Slamdance, Mar del Plata, Flicker’s Rhode Island, Raindance, among others. Chronicles of a Wandering Spirit, his debut feature, starring Monica Villa was a 2021 Screen Craft Film Fund Finalist and will be premiering at SXSW. Breaking away from cliches in mainstream depictions of South America, Tomás tells stories that use religion, magic, folklore and myth to conjure up and celebrate the real human absurdity that lies underneath.

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