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Utama

Play trailer 1:50 Poster for Utama Released Nov 4, 2022 1h 27m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In the arid Bolivian highlands, an elderly Quechua couple has been living a tranquil life for years. While he takes their small herd of llamas out to graze, she keeps house and walks for miles with the other local women to fetch precious water. When an uncommonly long drought threatens everything they know, Virginio and Sisa must decide whether to stay and maintain their traditional way of life or admit defeat and move in with family members in the city. Their dilemma is precipitated by the arrival of their grandson Clever, who comes to visit with news. The three of them must face, each in their own way, the effects of a changing environment, the importance of tradition, and the meaning of life itself. This visually jaw-dropping debut feature by photographer-turned-filmmaker Alejandro Loayza Grisi is lensed by award-winning cinematographer Barbara Alvarez (Lucrecia Martel’s The Headless Woman) and won the Grand Jury Prize (World Cinema Dramatic) at the Sundance Film Festival.
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Utama

Utama

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Critics Consensus

With breathtaking cinematography and naturalistic performances, Utama touchingly captures love and tradition in times of climate change.

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Critics Reviews

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Tom Long Detroit News Alejandro Loayza Grisi isn’t interested in story or action here, he's interested in the enormity of seemingly small lives. Rated: B+ Dec 2, 2022 Full Review David Hughes Time Out If you only see one film about Bolivian llama farmers this year, make it Utama. Rated: 4/5 Nov 22, 2022 Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian A gentle and superbly shot film. Rated: 3/5 Nov 21, 2022 Full Review Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film Grisi’s film is cinema at its rawest, most beautiful and contemplative, even if many of its plot aspects are woefully thin and overstretched. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 9, 2024 Full Review Connor Lightbody Loud and Clear Reviews a beguiling, beautiful movie, which Grisi’s passion for this subject makes ache with authenticity, but this passion never translates to anger. He just seems disappointed. Rated: 4/5 Jul 4, 2024 Full Review Nuha Hassan Nuha Hassan (Medium) Utama is a stark reminder that climate change haunts the land and the earth. A poignant film that expresses that land and cultures are important and not easy to let go of. Sep 8, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tim E Sooo slow. Yes, lovely in ways, but good for critics, not for someone who wants something to happen. Glacial pace. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/28/23 Full Review Martin S It is captivating, very little dialogue, you can see the nature of the characters and the immensity of the landscape. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/10/23 Full Review Tom C Wonderfully expansive landscape shot beautifully. Then zeroes in on one small family, one old man determined to remain true to what he's done all his life--even as the big world around him is changing fast. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/02/23 Full Review Juan G It is totally unexpected to become so empathetic and so invested to the plight of an elderly couple, living in the highlands of Bolivia. I thoroughly loved this movie, have seen it twice and will most assuredly see it again and again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/22 Full Review Bjrn B Interesting, authentic, genuine and kind of entertaining Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/11/22 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Alejandro Loayza Grisi

Director

José Calcina

Virginio

Luisa Quispe

Sisa

Candelaria Quispe

Elena

Santos Choque

Clever

Alejandro Loayza Grisi

Screenwriter

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Utama

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Utama

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the arid Bolivian highlands, an elderly Quechua couple has been living a tranquil life for years. While he takes their small herd of llamas out to graze, she keeps house and walks for miles with the other local women to fetch precious water. When an uncommonly long drought threatens everything they know, Virginio and Sisa must decide whether to stay and maintain their traditional way of life or admit defeat and move in with family members in the city. Their dilemma is precipitated by the arrival of their grandson Clever, who comes to visit with news. The three of them must face, each in their own way, the effects of a changing environment, the importance of tradition, and the meaning of life itself. This visually jaw-dropping debut feature by photographer-turned-filmmaker Alejandro Loayza Grisi is lensed by award-winning cinematographer Barbara Alvarez (Lucrecia Martel’s The Headless Woman) and won the Grand Jury Prize (World Cinema Dramatic) at the Sundance Film Festival.
Director
Alejandro Loayza Grisi
Producer
Santiago Loayza Grisi, Federico Moreira
Screenwriter
Alejandro Loayza Grisi
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Production Co
Alma Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Spanish
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 4, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 3, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA)
$52.8K
Runtime
1h 27m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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