Exploring Diego Céspedes’ Flamingo-Inspired Inspirations for AIDS-Era Modern Westerns
Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes recently garnered international acclaim for his first feature film, The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo, which won the prestigious Cannes Un Certain Regard Prize in May. The film has since been showcased at numerous festivals. Set in a remote Chilean mining town during the 1980s, the narrative follows 11-year-old Lidia (Tamara Cortés), who is raised by a queer family amid the emerging crisis of AIDS.
In the film, Lidia’s family faces blame for the illness, igniting her quest for vengeance against a backdrop of violence, fear, and hatred. Amidst these challenges, her family remains her refuge, posing a paradox where love could prove to be the ultimate danger. The film serves as Chile’s official submission for the International Feature Film Oscar race.
Céspedes emphasized the significance of telling the story through Lidia’s eyes, stating, “I think that when you tell the story through the eyes of children in general, you play way more with the emotions and not with such a constructed world. Because when we are adults, we are exposed to so many things, so many dark things and luminous things, but we get a lot of prejudices… And a child, they don’t have this; they just follow what their heart tells them.” He described this perspective as a freeing way to explore the emotions of a girl inspired by his own sisters.
Finding Cortés to portray Lidia was a significant development in the film’s production. Céspedes noted that after “a huge casting in Chile,” he found Cortés, whom he describes as “a very free soul.” He highlighted her natural talent and lack of pretension, stating that she approached acting without overthinking it and brought a refreshing combination of humor and skill to the role.
Reflecting on the honor of receiving the Un Certain Regard award for his debut feature, Céspedes shared that it was particularly meaningful, as UCR had always been his favorite section of the Cannes Film Festival. He stated, “It brings the new faces and the new voices.” This recognition follows his successful 2018 short film, The Summer of the Electric Lion, which won the Premier Prize of the Cinéfondation.
Check back Monday for the panel video.
