Utama

Released Nov 4, 2022

1 hr. 27 min.

Drama

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List

96%

49 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

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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Premiered Jan 16

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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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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

chloe s

Beautiful cinematography and beautiful performances!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Bjrn B

Interesting, authentic, genuine and kind of entertaining

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/22

Full Review

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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: Trailer 1

1:50

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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

Nuha Hassan

Nuha Hassan

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

Petr Navovy

Pajiba

Utama is not an easy watch. Why would it be? The topics it covers are as sad as it gets. But it is not a miserablist indulgence either. There is great joy and life here too.

Mar 28, 2023

Full Review

Kristian M. Lin

Fort Worth Weekly

See it just for the photography by Bárbara Alvarez and the masterful way it’s integrated with the music and sound by first-time filmmaker Alejandro Loayza Grisi. The family drama on the desert landscape is sublime.

Mar 13, 2023

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Marcos Loayza
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
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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