On Lake Maracaibo, beneath the mysterious silent Catatumbo lightning, the village of Congo Mirador is preparing for parliamentary elections. For streetwise, local businesswoman and Chavist party representative Tamara, every vote counts, fought by all means, while for opposition-supporting teacher Natalie, politics is a weapon unsuccessfully attempting to force her from her job. And with her sharp eyes, little Yoaini sees her community sinking from sedimentation, her childhood and innocence with it. How can a small fishing village survive against corruption, pollution and political decay – a reflection of all the flaws of contemporary Venezuela.

Production notes

Seven years in the making, the film is a testament to what happens when a chaotic and, many would say, illegitimate government wreaks havoc on its own populace, destroying lives and communities forged over several generations. Indeed, the sad takeaway from this deep dive into Venezuelan affairs is that whether you’re on the left, the right, a purebred Chavista or a diehard anti-socialist, you may find yourself powerless against the colluding forces of nature and man.

Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter