El rostro de la medusa

The Face of the Jellyfish
It is no coincidence that the second feature by Argentinian Melisa Liebenthal begins with a quote from “Duino Elegies” by Rilke, who was concerned with existential angst. And, more prosaically, Marina, the film’s young protagonist, is faced with similar anxiety. In fact, her problem is her face. One morning, she discovers her face has changed, and she can no longer recognise herself. Not even her mother can, who bumps into her on the street and says hello to her like she would to any stranger (deadpan, surreal humor is part of the film’s recipe). Marina is thus forced to confront her identity: who is she? Is she determined by her parent’s DNA or by her ID card? Can she be identified by a family portrait, by biometrics or the love of those around her, including her Colombian boyfriend? Is she prettier now? (Liebenthal’s first feature is called Las lindas, or The Pretty Ones). The film is economic in budget and form but works playfully with simple computer graphics and 2D animation to reinforce Marina’s quest, which also makes several stops in zoos and museums so Marina can compare herself with other forms. For as Rilke says: “With all its eyes the creature-world beholds the open”.
by Melisa Liebenthal
with Rocío Stellato, Irene Bosch, Vladimir Durán, Federico Sack, Alicia Labraga
Argentina 2022 Spanish,  Subtitles: English 76’ Colour International premiere

With

  • Rocío Stellato
  • Irene Bosch
  • Vladimir Durán
  • Federico Sack
  • Alicia Labraga
  • Camila Toker

Crew

DirectorMelisa Liebenthal
ScreenplayAgustín Godoy
CinematographyInés Duacastella
EditingFlorencia Gómez García
MusicInés Copertino
Sound DesignMercedes Gaviria
SoundMercedes Gaviria
Production DesignLucas Koziarsky
CostumesFlora Caligiuri
Make-UpLucía Rastelli
Assistant DirectorFelipe Solari Yrigoyen
Production ManagerCamila Albertocchi
Executive ProducerEugenia Campos Guevara
ProducersAgustin Gagliardi, Eugenia Campos Guevara
Co-ProducerVanesa Ragone
Co-ProductionZona Audiovisual, Buenos Aires, Argentinien

Produced by

Gentil cine

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Melisa Liebenthal

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1991, she studied film and works as a film director and editor. Following Las lindas (2016), El rostro de la medusa is her second feature-length film. In 2021, Melisa Liebenthal took part in Berlinale Talents.

Filmography

2013 Alegría del hogar (Home's Joy); 13 min. 2017 Patio (Backyard); 8 min. 2016 Las lindas (The Pretty Ones); 77 min. 2018 Constanza; 27 min. 2020 Aquí y allá (Here and There); 21 min. 2022 El rostro de la medusa (The Face of the Jellyfish); 76 min.

Dates

Sun Feb 19 21:00

Delphi Filmpalast

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Tue Feb 21 10:30

Zoo Palast 5

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Wed Feb 22 16:00

Cubix 7

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Sat Feb 25 13:00

Zoo Palast 2

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