Mexico 86

TIFF65: Greek Premiere

Against the backdrop of Guatemala’s turbulent political history – mirroring much of South America’s struggles – César Díaz (Our Mothers) draws from personal experiences to tell the story of a mother who reunites with her young son after years of exile in Mexico. Ten years after fleeing her country due to her political activism, María is reunited with her son, Marco, only to face an agonizing choice: should she continue her fight, or devote herself to the role of mother, which she had set aside for so long? This is a film about personal choices and sacrifices, the intricate bonds of love and motherhood, and the clash between the personal and the political. With a stunning performance by Bérénice Bejo in the lead role, and the gripping tension of both a political and emotional thriller, Mexico 86 operates on multiple levels, but above all, it’s a cinema that resonates deeply and matters.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: César Diaz

Script: César Diaz

Cinematography: Virginie Surdej

Editing: Alain Dessauvage

Sound: Bruno Schweisguth, Charles de Ville, Gilles Bénardeau

Music: Rémi Boubal

Actors: Bérénice Béjo, Matheo Labbé, Leonardo Ortizgris, Julieta Egurrola

Production: Need Productions, Tripode Productions

Producers: Delphine Schmit, Géraldine Sprimont, Anne-Laure Guégan

Co-production: Pimienta, Menuetto, France TV, RTBF, VOO & BE TV, PROXIMUS, SHELTER PROD

Costumes: Sabrina Riccardi, Isaac Castellanos Méndez

Make Up: Eva Ravina

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Belgium

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 95'

Contact: Bac Films International, Goodfellas

César Diaz

César Diaz was born in Guatemala in 1978. After studying in Mexico and Belgium, he joined the script workshop at La Fémis in Paris. For over 10 years, he has been editing fiction and documentary films. He has also directed the documentaries Why Do Humans Burn? (2010), presented at some 20 international festivals, and Territorio liberado (2014), winner of the IMCINE Prize in Mexico. Our Mothers (2019) was his first feature; Mexico 86 (2024) is his second.