by Zurellys Villegas
The film SUJO, by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez, has become one of the great promises of Mexican cinema this year and was recently selected to represent Mexico at the 2025 Oscar and Goya Awards.
The 97th edition of the Oscar Awards, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will be held on March 2, 2025 at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It will be at this ceremony where it will be revealed if Sujo manages to obtain the coveted nomination for Best Foreign Film. The official nominations in all categories will be announced on Dec. 17, 2024, so until then, the expectation will be maximum.
In the European sphere, the 39th edition of the Goya Awards will take place on February 8, 2025 at the Granada Exhibition and Congress Palace, in Spain.
A powerful story in difficult times
Sujo is about a young orphan named Sujo, masterfully played by Juan Jesús Varela, who grows up in a rural Mexican environment marked by poverty and violence caused by drug trafficking. The protagonist must fight against the shadows of the past, including the legacy of his father, a hitman for the cartel, while trying to forge his own path. This profound story touches on social issues rooted in Mexican reality, which has allowed the film to resonate not only nationally, but also internationally.
Sujo’s cinematography has been praised for its sensitivity and depth, both in its narrative and artistic direction. Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez managed to capture on screen a raw, but full of humanity vision of the struggles of their protagonist.
International recognition for Sujo
Sujo’s journey through international festivals has been remarkable. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, a prestigious recognition that consolidated the film as one of the favorites of the independent circuit. In addition, at the Cinélatino Festival in Toulouse it won the Cine+ and Rail d’OC awards.
Other important awards include the Grand Prix at the Festival du Cinéma Espagnol et Latino-américain d’Ajaccio, the Canvas Award at the Mooov Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the Festival del Cinema Africano, d’Asia e America, which reinforces the film’s global appeal. In addition, at the Sofia Film Festival in Bulgaria, it was named Best Film.
International and Mexican releases
The film has begun its journey through international cinemas. It was released in Uruguay on Sept. 5, 2024, followed by German-speaking Switzerland on Sept. 19. In French-speaking Switzerland, its release is expected on Nov. 15. In addition, Canadian distributor The Forge has announced that Sujo will be released in select theaters in the United States and Canada on November 29, further expanding its presence in the North American market.
In Mexico, film fans will be able to enjoy Sujo starting in December of this year, when Pimienta Films releases it in national theaters, defining one of the most anticipated cinematic events in the country to close this year.
Without a doubt, Sujo’s career has only just begun, and with its participation in the Oscars and Goya 2025, expectations are at their highest for what promises to be one of the most important moments in recent Mexican cinema.
