La Soledad
(La soledad)
Jorge Thielen-Armand | Drama, Fiction
2016 | 89 minutes | Venezuela, Canada, Italy
Handyman José lives with his family in La Soledad, a ramshackle villa located in what was once among Caracas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Might a fabled treasure supposedly hidden in La Soledad’s walls offer José’s family a chance at a better life?
Synopsis
Handyman José lives with his family in La Soledad, a dilapidated villa located in what was once among Caracas’ most affluent neighborhoods. After learning that the villa’s owners are planning to sell the estate, José seeks any solution that might keep his six-year-old daughter from growing up in Caracas’ crime-sodden slums. Might that fabled treasure supposedly hidden in La Soledad’s walls offer José’s family a chance at a better life?
Jorge Thielen Armand’s feature debut carves fiction from reality: La Soledad was once his family’s home; this story is true, acted out by the people who lived it. La Soledad looks beyond the headlines and gives a voice to those affected by contemporary Venezuela’s inner turmoil. It is a magnificent feat of real-life storytelling—and a profound fusion of creativity and compassion.
Reviews
"Recommended. Thielen Armand and his crew deserve enormous credit for... shining a light on an aspect of economic collapse that doesn't get a lot of attention in the news media, the slow and painful death of that which we call "ordinary." La Soledad is especially promising for a debut feature and marks its director as one to watch." — Andy Horbal, Cornell University Library, EMRO
"Sometimes humorous, sometimes poetic, and ultimately devastating." — Glenn Kenny, RogerEbert.com
"Director Jorge Thielen Armand paints a social-political mosaic of current Venezuela, with this utterly captivating, poetic observation on the strength of a father decided to save his family and the powerful connection they share." — Roger Costa, Brazilian Press
"An inventive and insightful exercise in exploring a real location down to the last cobwebbed corner. And politically, it depicts a desperate state of affairs, but with hope and quiet energy." — Jonathan Romney, The Guardian
"A window into the catastrophic reality of the current Venezuela." — Erika Angulo, Nbcnews.com
"A vital survey of contemporary Venezuela as seen from the eyes of a single, struggling working class family." — David Jenkins, Little White Lies
"Combining sharp social critique with the offbeat poetry of magical realism, La Soledad offers an engaging portrait of the effects of economic catastrophe on individuals' lives...La Soledad not only offers a lyrical evocation of a decaying world but also opens up new possibilities for documentary cinema." — Institute of Contemporary Arts, London
"Acted out by a cast of real-life personages...Poetic and ultimately devastating. It puts a human face on the economic catastrophe of contemporary Venezuela." —Glenn Kenny, RogerEbert.com
"A flower of a film amid the ruins of Caracas." — The Guardian
"Remarkably assured, even as it blurs the lines between fiction and reality. " —Kevin Maher, Times (UK)
Citation
Main credits
Thielen Armand, Jorge (film director)
Thielen Armand, Jorge (film producer)
Thielen Armand, Jorge (screenwriter)
López, Adrializ (on-screen participant)
Dolores López, José (on-screen participant)
Alvillares, Marley (on-screen participant)
Michelangeli, Rodrigo (film producer)
Michelangeli, Rodrigo (screenwriter)
Herrera, Adriana (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Rodrigo Michelangeli; editor, Felipe Guerrero.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Afro-Latin Studies
Cinema Studies
Culture + Identity
Economics + Social Class Issues
Family
Health + Aging
Latin American Studies
Race + Ethnicity
Sociology
South America
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Venice International Film Festival
Cartagena International Film Festival
Buenos Aires Festival of Independent Cinema
Biarritz Festival of Latin American Cinema - Prix du Syndicat Français de la Critique de Cinéma
Durban International Film Festival - Best Screenplay, Best Editing
Miami International Film Festival - Audience Award for Best Film
DIRECTOR: Jorge Thielen-Armand
NATIONALITY: Venezuela, Canada, Italy
YEAR: 2016
GENRE: Drama, Fiction
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: High School, 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
Of Memory and Debris
De memoria y escombros
Nudo Mixteco
Nudo mixteco
Pantanal
Water Steps
Los pasos del agua
On the Roof
El techo
The Facilitator
El facilitador
Venezuela: Country of Lost Children
The Candidate
El candidato
El Amparo
El amparo
Tupamaro: Urban Guerrillas
Tupamaro: guerrilas urbanas
Two Women and a Cow
Dos mujeres y una vaca
Before a Rooster Crows
Antes que cante el gallo
Estación catorce
Red Land
Tierra escarlata
Delicate Balance
Frágil equilibrio
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 >Our Top 20 Titles
A must-watch selection of films, featuring the most relevant titles and renowned filmmakers.
Number of titles: 20
SEE COLLECTION >Spanish Language Films
A cinematic highlight of the magic and diversity of the Spanish language.
Number of titles: 440
SEE COLLECTION >Cinema Studies
Independent, classic, experimental, risky, and transgressive films from Latin American that celebrate art of filmmaking.
Number of titles: 59
SEE COLLECTION >High School Collection
Given varying criteria for content ratings and age restrictions in different regions, Pragda STREAM recommends faculty watch films in their entirety before assigning them to students.
Number of titles: 509
SEE COLLECTION >Afro-Latin Narratives
Unveiling Afro-Latin America: their culture, challenges, and the profound contributions of their communities.
Number of titles: 67
SEE COLLECTION >Venezuela Film Collection
As Venezuela continues to make headlines amid accusations of a lack of transparency and integrity, the following titles shed light on the socio-political background of the country.
Number of titles: 9
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 >