Near the clouds

An unrepenitent Don Juan, an introverted buddy, their girlfriends, and the women they have their eyes on—all mix in the nightlife of Montevideo.

Award-winning documentary about how one Uruguayan leftist survived solitary confinement during the dirty war. The story of former Tupamaro guerilla fighter, Henry Engler, whose prolonged confinement and torture during the Uruguayan dictatorship led to a mental breakdown. Today Dr. Engler is a Swedish citizen and a scientist renowned for his research into Alzheimer’s disease. In this impressive documentary, the scientist visits the places of his painful past, painting an intimate and disturbing portrait of prison life under the dictatorship.

In Montevideo, Sonja cares for her invalid mother, works in a garment factory, and has little going for her. Her neighbor Modesto, an older man who lives alone, types anonymous letters to her. Her mother is difficult -- demanding and miserable, afraid of death. Sonja meets Ernesto, a nurseryman, and finally there may be some possibilities in her life. Does freedom beckon?

This documentary, which is the first part of a long-term project, tells the story of Julia, a trans-sexual who even manages to get her identity document changed, and of her partner Ignacio. The couple let the camera into their world, and with complete candour and frankness they give us a kind of intimate diary on film.

An intimate documentary portrait of an exceptional couple who live in a suburb of Montevideo: Julia, a 65-year-old transsexual whose new gender identity has finally been recognised (after twelve years) by the Uruguayan state, and Ignacio, her lover, a former construction worker with a troubled past. Inseparable for 20 years, the couple are now preparing for marriage. Aldo Garay’s camera follows Julia and Ignacio’s joys and worries, patiently revealing the sources of the strength of their relationship.

The story of an unfinished documentary about Alfredo Zitarrosa and that of his director, Francisco "Papico" Cibils.

Between 1950 and 1952, the Uruguayan essayist, critic and writer José Pedro Díaz created a film diary with images that display a range of diverse interests: social observation, the portrait of the artistic-intellectual community in Europe and a look at domestic cinema from travels, portraying his wife, the poet Amanda Berenguer. As a perfect complement he also had a literary diary. Both form a unique testimonial chronicle: how to read the script and see what was filmed. This documentary deals with that lesser-known area of Díaz's work.

A portrayal of the multifaceted artist Sofía Saunier's daily routine as she takes care of her housemate and makes Transur, a film project showing the present reality of Uruguay's trans community.

An emotional visual portrait starring fans of the most important melodic singer-songwriter that Uruguay had, the founder and leader of Los Iracundos, Eduardo Franco.

This is a documentary about the Uruguayan boxer Alfredo Evangelista, who at height of his career even fought against Mohammad Ali. A considerable part of the film is a long interview with him in Carabanchel prison in Madrid. Alfredo, one of Uruguay's last sporting legends, tells his story for the camera. He talks about his life and his career in sport, and he reflects bitterly and lucidly about the mistakes he has made and his situation today.

At the tender age of twelve, Roberto supported the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua and fought for education and social reforms. He was to continue his political struggle fighting alongside the communist Tupamaros in Uruguay. Thirty years later he is struggling to live his life as a woman named Stephanía and striving to be accepted by both society and his family.

The first documentary about the little-known world of transvestites in Montevideo. We are shown the most complicated facets of these people, their consciousness of themselves, and their perceptions of the world and of life. We learn about their everyday (and every night) experiences, and how they cope with the bigotry and old fashioned attitudes that are all around.