The Sleepwalkers
(Los sonámbulos)
Paula Hernández | Drama, Fiction
2019 | 107 minutes | Argentina, Uruguay
A chaotic look at the struggles of adolescence and a deliciously observed, tightly focused drama about a family falling apart over a New Year's vacation.
Synopsis
Following the path of Lucrecia Martel's La Cienega, Paula Hernández places her film in that family reunion subgenre, focusing on the story between mother and daughter. Luisa, her husband Emilio, and their 14-year-old daughter Ana, are spending their New Year holiday visiting Emilio’s mother Meme at her country house, joined by Emilio’s brother and his family. Over the course of what was hoped to be a peaceful, summertime family vacation, multiple tensions – ranging from career worries to troubled adolescence, a possible selling of the house to myriad family problems – will gradually simmer into an explosion. Luisa and Ana in particular will face an awakening in the midst of a silent family crisis.
Featuring a skilled and brilliant Argentinian cast, including Erika Rivas (Wild Tales) and Luis Ziembrowski (One Love), who bring the requisite nuance and humanity to Hernandez’ rich script, The Sleepwalkers is an indelible portrait of a family in crisis, where desire and expectation clash when familial pressures push women to their limits. The film builds to a violent climax, but in its aftermath, we're given the relief of knowing that, when chaos reigns, the parent-child connection at the center of this story holds. (Miami Film Festival)
Reviews
"[A] deliciously observed, tightly focused drama about a family falling apart over a New Year's vacation. " — Jonathan Holland, The Hollywood Reporter
"Hernandez deftly combines a coming-of-age drama with a finely observed portrait of a complex mother-daughter relationship and then wraps it all up in the bigger picture of a family sleepwalking towards disaster. The result is a multi-layered drama vividly brought to life by a well-cast ensemble." — Allan Hunter, Screen Daily
"With a feminine point of view, visual elegance, and performances always on point, The Sleepwalkers walks on a latent tension that never lets go." — Juan Pablo Russo, Escribiendo Cine
"A film as bright as it is personal that demonstrates the virtuosity and skill of a great filmmaker." — Cristina Aparicio, Cuadernos de Cine
"As a forensic examination of the fragile dynamics of family life, The Sleepwalkers is very strong...psychological burdens are explored by Hernández with delicacy, agility and not the slightest self-indulgence." — Jonathan Holland, The Hollywood Reporter
"The Sleepwalkers has enough resources and findings to keep audiences awake." — Diego Batlle, Otroscines.com
"It's a somewhat chaotic look at the struggles of adolescence." — Matthew St. Clair, The Playlist
Citation
Main credits
Hernández, Paula (film director)
Hernández, Paula (screenwriter)
Rivas, Erica (actor)
Marini, Marilù (actor)
D'Elia, Ornella (actor)
Miller, Juan Pablo (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Iván Gierasinchuk; editor, Rosario Suárez; music, Pedro Onetto.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Body Image
Criminal Justice
Family
Mental Health
Oscar® Contenders
Sociology
South America
Women
Youth
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Academy Awards® - Argentina's submission for Best International Feature Film
Havana Film Festival - Best Film Best Script Best Actress
Fine Arts Film Festival
Dominican Rep. & Puerto Rico - Best Director, Best Actress
Alturas International Film Festival - Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress
Toronto International Film Festival
San Sebastián Film Festival
DIRECTOR: Paula Hernández
NATIONALITY: Argentina, Uruguay
YEAR: 2019
GENRE: Drama, Fiction
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: College, Adults
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
Existing customers, please log in to view this film.
New to Pragda? Register to request a quote.
Related Films
Neither Hero nor Traitor
Ni héroe ni traidor
Estación catorce
Unicorn
Unicórnio
Sisters in the End of the World
Irmã
This Time Tomorrow
Mañana a ésta hora
I Girl
Yo niña
Los Lobos
Los lobos
Dragonflies
Libélulas
The Country of Fear
El país del miedo
Album for the Youth
Álbum para la juventud
Wandering Girl
Niña errante
Before a Rooster Crows
Antes que cante el gallo
Nobody Is Crazy
Nadie está loco
Sublime
Related Collections
Fiction Films
A compelling glimpse into Spain and Latin America's rich storytelling traditions, showcasing a blend of established directors and emerging voices. Each film highlights the depth and creativity of the region.
Number of titles: 266
SEE COLLECTION >Family Dysfunction Unleashed
Through poignant narratives and authentic characters, these movies navigate the intricate dynamics, exposing the raw emotions, conflicts, and unexpected bonds that shape the multifaceted landscapes of family dysfunction.
Number of titles: 28
SEE COLLECTION >Oscar® Submissions
Prepare for or relieve the biggest night in film by exploring some of Spain and Latin America's official submissions to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.
Number of titles: 14
SEE COLLECTION >Spanish Language Films
A cinematic highlight of the magic and diversity of the Spanish language.
Number of titles: 440
SEE COLLECTION >Criminal Justice
A riveting selection of films that provoke conversations on topics such as wrongful convictions, systemic issues, life in prison, and the human stories behind crime and punishment.
Number of titles: 128
SEE COLLECTION >Women's Voices
These films challenge dominant narratives and offer compelling feminine visions of the region's past, present, and future.
Number of titles: 216
SEE COLLECTION >The Pragda Complete Film Collection
The essence of Spain and Latin America captured in their original language with English captions or subtitles.
Number of titles: 637
SEE COLLECTION >Our Essential 100 Titles
A hand-picked selection of our must-have films showcasing the very best of Spanish, Latin American and Latinx cinema.
Number of titles: 100
SEE COLLECTION >