Through Rocks and Clouds (Spanish: Raíz, ) is a 2024 drama film directed by Franco García Becerra and written by Annemarie Gunkel and Alicia Quispe. A co-production between Peru and Chile, the film stars Quechua-speaker Alberth Merma accompanied by Nely Huayta and Richard Taipe. It is about a shepherd boy who dreams of seeing his country in the 2018 FIFA World Cup while his environment is threatened by pollution from a mining company.
Synopsis Feliciano is an 8-year-old boy who is in charge of herding sheep. He is accompanied by Ronaldo, a young alpaca, and Rambo, an old dog with whom he can start conversations about football and the national team's matches to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, their environment is threatened by a contaminated lake because a mining company wants to take over those lands. One day Ronaldo disappears along with other alpacas, the authorities ignore the requests for help, so Feliciano will seek to find his Ronaldo while the town unites to take action against the company.
Cast
Alberth Merma as Feliciano Nely Huayta Richard Taipe José Merma Deyvis Mayo Rubén Huillca Ruperta Condori
Production Principal photography began in October 2022 in the province of Quispicanchis in Cusco, Peru.
Release Through Rocks and Clouds had its world premiere on February 19, 2024, in the Generation Kplus section at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, then screened on April 17, 2024, at the 63rd Cartagena Film Festival, on August 8, 2024, at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, on August 9, 2024, at the 28th Lima Film Festival, on the August 19, 2024, at the 20th Santiago International Film Festival, and on October 23, 2024, at the 12th Bosphorus Film Festival. International rights were acquired by Luxbox Films.
The film is scheduled for commercial release on October 16, 2025, in Peruvian theaters.
Reception Critical reception On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 40% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.0/10.
Accolades AwardDateCategoryRecipientResultBerlin International Film Festival25 February 2024Grand Prix for Best Film in Generation KplusThrough Rocks and Clouds Generation International Jury – Special Mention Seattle International Film Festival19 May 2024Ibero-American Competition – Grand Jury Prize Lima Film Festival 17 August 2024Best Picture Best Director Franco García Becerra Santiago International Film Festival25 August 2024Chilean Competition – Best FilmThrough Rocks and CloudsSpecial Jury Mention Biarritz Film Festival27 September 2024Coup de Cœur Award Bosphorus Film Festival25 October 2024International Competition - Best FilmSpecial Jury PrizeAlberth Merma
References
External links
Official Page