Aldo (Baldomero Cáceres) is an aging, self-proclaimed prophet who lost a sense of meaning in his life—until Gabriel (Miguel Dávalos), a young follower who idolizes Aldo and still believes in his teachings, tracks him down and encourages him to return to preaching. As Aldo reflects on his identity as a fraud and contemplates returning to his spiritual mission, Gabriel embraces his role as young apprentice while duplicitously easing Aldo’s teachings into the new age.

From award-winning filmmakers Mariana Rondón and Marité Ugás comes this captivating story about faith, lies, and empathy. Situating a sense of place with striking locations, from Aldo’s shack on a beachside cliff to the marketplace of the inner city, Aldo’s simultaneous hope and paranoia are relentlessly evoked by the haunting score and invasive camera movements. Cáceres and Dávalos give subtly complex performances, mirroring each other’s evolving characters in this stunning portrayal of the power of faith—and deception—over those who desperately seek spiritual guidance.—Sarah Dawson

Marite Ugas