Cielo

Director: Alberto Sciamma
Screenplay: Alberto Sciamma
Producers: John Dunton-Downer, Bettina Kadoorie, Alexa Waugh
Starring: Fernanda Gutiérrez Aranda, Fernando Arze Echalar, Luis Bredow, Mariela Salaverry
Year: 2025
Country: UK
Duration: 108 mins

Stepping out of the venue after the UK premiere of Alberto Sciamma’s CIELO at SXSW London, the feeling was palpable: this isn’t just a movie, it’s an experience that leaves you profoundly moved. An independent production shot entirely in Bolivia, CIELO is a breathtaking adventure, drama, and fantasy that transcends conventional storytelling.

From its opening frames—striking images of a breathtaking landscape and a lone girl seemingly playing at the edge of a reflective body of water, followed by a shocking act—director Alberto Sciamma’s intent was clear: to craft a narrative both tender and harsh, in his own words, much like a beautiful flower needing fertile ground to bloom. This vision was flawlessly executed, creating a film that is at once visceral, impactful, and unsettling. The cinematography by Alex Metcalfe is nothing short of ethereal, at times reminiscent of the evocative moods and visuals found in Guillermo Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water”

The film introduces Santa, an 8-year-old girl from a desolate Bolivian homestead, who embarks on an incredible journey to bring her mother to what they believe is a physical heaven. Fernanda Gutiérrez Aranda, cast at just seven years old, delivers a formidable and utterly captivating debut performance as Santa. Her portrayal is so endearing and flawless that even the film’s most disturbing moments, including the loss of her parents early on, fail to diminish the audience’s connection to her character.

The production, remarkably achieved on a tight budget over five weeks of six-day shooting, speaks volumes about the dedication of the team. CIELO weaves in deeply religious imagery, exploring universal themes of faith, loss, authenticity versus imported beliefs, and the human quest for redemption. It feels at times like a stream of consciousness, a deliberate choice by Sciamma, who describes his writing process as starting with compelling images rather than a strict plot, allowing the story to unfold organically.

Adding vibrant colour and much-needed comic relief to the underlying darkness is a troupe of real female cholita wrestlers, whose presence is both compelling and a fascinating juxtaposition against life’s harsh realities.

CIELO is not always an easy watch; heartbreaking moments, frights, and uncomfortable scenes abound, making it feel “like sitting on broken glass.” Yet, this discomfort serves to deepen the impact, creating a profoundly moving experience.  Given the audience’s reaction at SXSW London, it’s not hard to imagine CIELO as a potential Oscar contender. It asks questions but never presumes to answer them, allowing viewers to find their own meaning in its rich tapestry of emotion and stunning visuals. This is a film that aims to touch the heart of anyone, anywhere, and it succeeds masterfully.

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