“I didn’t decide to be born, I never asked.”
With a shot of a coffin containing a corpse, ANHELL69 (Theo Montoya, 2022) opens with the above narration. The sentence represents the feeling of alienation that is often spoken by those who struggle with mental distress in life.
Director Montoya, through his poetic point of view, takes us on a journey through obstacles as he tries to bring his first feature-length film to life. Director Montoya’s casting process—to find protagonists for his fictional film about ghosts—ended tragically. The young men he recruited became “ghosts” in the real world. Through the remaining footage from his filming, combined with footage of casting interviews with prospective actors, Director Montoya invites us to engage in dialogue with a group of queer youth living in a conservative environment. Dreams, trauma, the desire to be free, carnal pleasures, and death are constantly on their minds.
In a melancholic manner, Director Montoya frames the lives of queer people in Medellín as a broader reflection of their struggle to survive in a harsh and prejudiced world. The film touches on the fear of an uncertain future for this generation—a generation living in the shadow of death. It’s sad to see how their dreams are awakened only to vanish so quickly. Without directly addressing the controversial aspects of their lives, we still cannot ignore the harsh reality they face every day.
Towards the end of the film, Director Montoya presents another shot of a coffin with the narration, “I died, I died many times, and in many ways, in this city.” This story reminds us of the fragility of hope for those who live on the edge, trapped in a world that often gives no room to breathe, leaving a trail of sorrow that cannot be overlooked. (FadliAwan) (Ed. Vanis/Trans. Naufal Shabri)
Film Details
ANHELL69
Theo Montoya | 75 Min | 2022 | Colombia, Romania, France, Germany
Official Selection for Utopia/Dystopia
Festival Film Dokumenter 2024
Screening Schedule
Nov. 3 | 16:00 WIB | IFI-LIP
