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El rostro de la medusa

The Face of the Jellyfish
Forum 2023
© Gentil Cine SRL and Zona Audiovisual
It is no coincidence that the second feature by Argentinian Melisa Liebenthal begins with a quote from “Duino Elegies” by Rilke, who was concerned with existential angst. And, more prosaically, Marina, the film’s young protagonist, is faced with similar anxiety. In fact, her problem is her face. One morning, she discovers her face has changed, and she can no longer recognise herself. Not even her mother can, who bumps into her on the street and says hello to her like she would to any stranger (deadpan, surreal humor is part of the film’s recipe). Marina is thus forced to confront her identity: who is she? Is she determined by her parent’s DNA or by her ID card? Can she be identified by a family portrait, by biometrics or the love of those around her, including her Colombian boyfriend? Is she prettier now? (Liebenthal’s first feature is called Las lindas, or The Pretty Ones). The film is economic in budget and form but works playfully with simple computer graphics and 2D animation to reinforce Marina’s quest, which also makes several stops in zoos and museums so Marina can compare herself with other forms. For as Rilke says: “With all its eyes the creature-world beholds the open”.
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by Melisa Liebenthal
with Rocío Stellato, Irene Bosch, Vladimir Durán, Federico Sack, Alicia Labraga, Camila Toker Argentina 2022 Spanish 76' Colour International premiere

With

  • Rocío Stellato
  • Irene Bosch
  • Vladimir Durán
  • Federico Sack
  • Alicia Labraga
  • Camila Toker

Crew

Director Melisa Liebenthal
Screenplay Agustín Godoy
Cinematography Inés Duacastella
Editing Florencia Gómez García
Music Inés Copertino
Sound Design Mercedes Gaviria
Sound Mercedes Gaviria
Production Design Lucas Koziarsky
Costumes Flora Caligiuri
Make-Up Lucía Rastelli
Assistant Director Felipe Solari Yrigoyen
Production Manager Camila Albertocchi
Executive Producer Eugenia Campos Guevara
Producers Agustin Gagliardi, Eugenia Campos Guevara
Co-Producer Vanesa Ragone
Co-Production Zona Audiovisual Buenos Aires, Argentinien

Produced by

Gentil cine

Photos

Melisa Liebenthal

© Yamel Thompson, 2022

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1991, she studied film and works as a film director and editor. Following Las lindas (2016), El rostro de la medusa is her second feature-length film. In 2021, Melisa Liebenthal took part in Berlinale Talents.

Filmography

2013 Alegría del hogar (Home's Joy); 13 min. 2017 Patio (Backyard); 8 min. 2016 Las lindas (The Pretty Ones); 77 min. 2018 Constanza; 27 min. 2020 Aquí y allá (Here and There); 21 min. 2022 El rostro de la medusa (The Face of the Jellyfish); 76 min.

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023