THE SETTLERS

Director: Felipe Gálvez Haberle

2023, 97min.

Language: Spanish and English with English subtitles.

Screenwriter: Antonia Girardi, Felipe Gálvez Haberle, Mariano Llinás

Cast: Sam Spruell, Mark Stanley, Benjamin Westfall

 

Chile, 1901. Scottish army captain MacLennan (Mark Stanley, GAME OF THRONES) is tasked by his wealthy employer (and real historical figure) José Menéndez (Alfredo Castro, THE CLUB, NO) to map a secure route to the coast through the remote Tierra del Fuego region. Taking with him quiet Mestizo tracker Segundo (Camilo Arancibia) and joined by crass Texas mercenary Bill (Benjamin Westfall, YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE), the trio embarks on a brutal killing spree of the Indigenous Selk’nam people in their path. A haunting look at the viciousness of colonialism, Felipe Gálvez’s assured directorial debut trains an unflinching eye on one of the most violent chapters of Chile’s history. Subverting classic Western tropes and featuring stunning cinematography, the film won the FIPRESCI Critics Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.