Hyperreal continues its Hispanic Heritage Month programming with this latest entry in its Cinema de la Cultura series. Winner of the Un Certain Regard jury prize at Cannes 2025, Colombian writer-director Simón Mesa Soto’s tragicomedy tracks a washed-up poet who sees an opportunity to reclaim some glory when he mentors a promising young writer (Rebeca Andrade). Ubeimar Rios’ schlumpy performance as Oscar the failed poet is one of this century’s great portraits in loserdom; every time you think he’s turned a corner, Oscar makes yet another boneheaded decision or delivers another drunken, spittling aria of self-pity. It’s a terrific film – just be prepared to wince for two hours. – Kimberley Jones
