The Chilean documentary, Winter Howl, directed by filmmaker Matías Rojas Valencia, and whose production credits are Tomás Gerlach of A Simple Vista and Clara Larraín Zegers of Clara Films (Chile), with co-production by Paula Zyngierman of Maravillacine (Argentina ) and Françoise Nieto-Fong from Centauro Comunicaciones (Colombia), and executive produced by actress Paulina García – had its world premiere at the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn.
The highly anticipated Chilean documentary, “Winter Howl,” directed by the talented filmmaker Matías Rojas Valencia – produced by Tomás Gerlach from A Simple Vista and Clara LarraínZegers from Clara Films (Chile), co producer by Paula Zyngierman from Maravillacine (Argentina) and Françoise Nieto-Fong from Centauro Comunicaciones (Colombia), with executive production by actress Paulina García– is set to have its world premiere at the esteemed Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in November 2023. This powerful documentary delves deep into themes of memory, survival, and the enduring impact of human rights violations, offering an intimate and poignant exploration of Chile’s recent history.
“Winter Howl” confronts the ghosts of the past as it unravels the untold documentary story of an elderly couple who survived 40 dark years of human rights violations in Dignity Colony, intertwined with a fictional story of an ex-agent of dictatorship who suffers Alzheimer’s and looks for redemption before forgetting it all. Through compelling scenes of the present life of the survivors, archival footage, and evocative cinematography that mixes genres, formats, color treatment, and camera movement, Matías Rojas Valencia crafts a moving narrative that explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
The documentary’s inclusion in the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, renowned for its commitment to showcasing thought-provoking and socially relevant films, reflects the significance of “Winter Howl” in shedding light on a period of Chilean history that has left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory.
“We are honored and humbled to have ‘Winter Howl’ premiering at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival,” said Matías Rojas Valencia. “This festival’s reputation for championing impactful storytelling aligns perfectly with the message we aim to convey through our documentary.
We hope that ‘Winter Howl’ serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and confronting our past to build a better future.” The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, also known as PÖFF (PimedateÖödeFilmifestival), has a rich history of presenting exceptional films that tackle complex societal issues such as Rojas Valencia’s previous fiction feature film “A Place Called Dignity” that premiered at PÖFF in 2021.
“Tallinn is renowned for its commitment to discovering and celebrating diverse voices in the world of cinema, and we are very pleased to keep a close relationship with the festival since they were the first to believe in our film by awarding it on the BE Coproduction Market at 2021 and now offering it a place to be shown to the world”, said Tomas Gerlach and Clara LarraínZegers, both Chilean Producers of the film.
The premiere of “Winter Howl” at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is a momentous occasion for both the filmmaker and the Chilean film industry. It not only highlights the growing influence of Chilean cinema on the global stage but also It underscores the global relevance of stories that delve into the consequences of human rights violations and how they wish to be remembered.
Audiences can anticipate an emotionally charged and thought-provoking experience when “Winter Howl” makes its debut at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This event promises to be an extraordinary opportunity to engage with a documentary that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of memory in healing.
