Colombia, on the banks of Magdalena Medio, 2002.
José returns to his home deep in the jungle after a long fishing night to discover that paramilitary forces killed his two sons, Dionisio and Rafael, and threw their bodies into the river.
José begins a lonely journey to retrieve and provide a proper burial for his boys preventing their tormented souls from being stuck in this world. Aboard his canoe, José discovers the magic of a country torn in pieces.
José returns to his home deep in the jungle after a long fishing night to discover that paramilitary forces killed his two sons, Dionisio and Rafael, and threw their bodies into the river.
José begins a lonely journey to retrieve and provide a proper burial for his boys preventing their tormented souls from being stuck in this world. Aboard his canoe, José discovers the magic of a country torn in pieces.
Director
After receiving a Bachelors in Economy in Bogotá, Nicolás Rincón Gille studied in Belgium at the INSAS. He worked as a cinematographer on a few films and directed three short films before embarking on his trilogy project dedicated to the richness of oral tradition in Columbia's countryside.
The first part, THOSE WAITING IN THE DARK (2007), received the Joris Ivens Award at Cinéma du Réel, followed by the second part, THE EMBRACE OF THE RIVER (2010), which was awarded the Montgolfière d'Or Prize at the Festival des 3 Continents. WOUNDED NIGHT (2015) is the last part of the trilogy, awarded Special Mention from the International Jury at Cinéma de Réel and Best Film in the Colombian Competition at FICCI in 2016.
His most recent short film, COLD KISSES (2016), was selected at the Cinéma du Réel.
The first part, THOSE WAITING IN THE DARK (2007), received the Joris Ivens Award at Cinéma du Réel, followed by the second part, THE EMBRACE OF THE RIVER (2010), which was awarded the Montgolfière d'Or Prize at the Festival des 3 Continents. WOUNDED NIGHT (2015) is the last part of the trilogy, awarded Special Mention from the International Jury at Cinéma de Réel and Best Film in the Colombian Competition at FICCI in 2016.
His most recent short film, COLD KISSES (2016), was selected at the Cinéma du Réel.
Cast & crew
CAST
Arley de Jesús Carvallido Lobo
PRODUCERS
Medio de Contención Producciones
COPRODUCERS
Neon Rouge / NRW SPRL
STO Lat Films
Tact Production (The Mercy of the Jungle)
DOP
Juan Sarmiento G. (Central Airport THF)
EDITOR
Cedric Zoenen
Festivals and awards
- BUSAN - FLASH FORWARD COMPETITION
- ROME IFF
- FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS (MENTION SPECIALE DU JURY)
- MARRAKECH IFF (GOLDEN STAR FOR BEST FILM)
- TROMSO IFF
- IFF ROTTERDAM
- LUXEMBOURG CITY FF
- BENGALURU IFF
- GLASGOW IFF
- TAIPEI IFF
- TRANSILVANIA IFF
- AMMAN IFF
- BRISBANE IFF
- PANORAMA DU CINEMA COLOMBIEN
- ENERGA CAMERIMAGE
- ISTANBUL FILM FESTIVAL
"Valley of Souls manages to find beauty and even tragicomedy amid the darkness"
“Arresting and accomplished, (...)
striking widescreen cinematography.”
striking widescreen cinematography.”
“An immersive, riveting, exceptional debut,
(…) a film of astonishing power. The way the
swampy air feels thick with faith, phantasm
and fear recalls masterful Embrace of the Serpent.”
(…) a film of astonishing power. The way the
swampy air feels thick with faith, phantasm
and fear recalls masterful Embrace of the Serpent.”
