Daniel and Ana

Daniel and Ana are siblings and best friends. Both are in pivot moments of their lives and are confident enough for help each other. She is about to be married, he is teenager discovering his personal and sexual identity. Their harmony is shattered when they are kidnapped and they will be forced to do something unexpected to be free, forced to face experiences that will change their lives forever. Nothing will be ever the same again, their relationship, the wedding plans, the family routine.

In between of thriller and drama, “Daniel and Ana” is a controversial film which reveals scabrous topics, not only present in Mexico. It’s not avoiding the violence itself (be careful, explicit images are present), but more focused in the consequences.

Be ready, film can have an impact on you.

The filmmaker Michel Franco made his entry in the world cinema with this shocking film, apparently based on true facts confessed to him by a psychologist, having a polemic premiere in Cannes (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, 2009), just three years before of winning the Best Award in Un certain regard with the sterling “After Lucía”, based in school bullying (BNFF 2012). Both films are tough, contain explicit images and they are not a plate for all tastes. But it has the value of putting on scene different levels of violence and stress, revealing Franco as a director with solid hand and, for sure, establishing as a name to watch.

Javier Garcia Puerto

Mexico, Spain 2009