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Latino Spotlight at Cannes 2025: Films and Artists You Need to Know
Cannes 2025 is here, and while the festival promises another year of cinematic excellence and red carpet glamour, it’s hard not to notice the limited presence of Latin American cinema in the lineup. Still, even though there are fewer Latin films on the list, the ones that did make it are powerful, deeply rooted in identity, and ready to make an impact.
Running from May 13 to 24, the Festival de Cannes returns in full swing, welcoming hundreds of movies and stars from around the world. This year’s competition features new works by Richard Linklater, Ari Aster, Kelly Reichardt, Wes Anderson, Julia Ducournau, and Joachim Trier. Scarlett Johansson and Bono are making their directorial debuts, while Tom Cruise is back with another installment of “Mission: Impossible.” Finally, Robert De Niro will be honored with the Palme d’Or for his career achievements, and Juliette Binoche will preside as jury president.
In the main competition, only one Latin American movie is in the running for the prestigious Palme d’Or: “O Agente Secreto” by Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho. The movie follows Marcelo, played by Wagner Moura, a man in his forties who moves to Recife to escape a violent past. For those unfamiliar, Wagner Moura is well-known for his role as Pablo Escobar in the Netflix series ‘Narcos’. This marks Mendonça Filho’s third attempt at the top prize, following his previous Cannes entries “Aquarius” (2016) and “Bacurau” (2019).
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Puerto Rican star Joaquin Phoenix and Chilean actor Pedro Pascal star in “Eddington,” a western directed by Ari Aster. Even though it’s an American production, the presence of Latin talent on screen brings an added dimension to this year’s festival. The story follows a couple stranded in a small New Mexico town during the pandemic. Initially, they’re welcomed, but things quickly take a dark turn.
In the Un Certain Regard section, which emphasizes distinctive storytelling and fresh perspectives, Latin America gains more representation. Chilean director Diego Céspedes brings “La Misteriosa Mirada del Flamenco,” set in the Chilean desert, to the festival. The movie portrays a mysterious illness pinned on the queer community, and it follows a young girl named Lidia as she seeks to uncover the truth behind the rumors.
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From Colombia comes “Un Poeta” by Simón Mesa Soto. The story follows Oscar Restrepo, an aging poet who finds a new sense of purpose in mentoring a young girl named Yurlady. Their relationship brightens his days but also raises questions about the world he’s introducing her to. The movie reflects on art, legacy, and what it means to be remembered.
Brazil is also well-represented in the Portuguese production “O Sorriso e a Faca” by Pedro Pinho. Although not officially a Latin American movie, it featured a large Brazilian crew including cinematographer Ivo Lopes Araujo and editor Karen Akerman.
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Argentina makes its presence known with actor Peter Lanzani co-starring in the Italian drama “Testa o croce?” by Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis. The story follows a woman on the run after killing her husband, traveling with her lover and sparking a social uprising.
In the Cannes Premiere category, two major names return. Oscar-winning Chilean director Sebastián Lelio (“A Fantastic Woman” – 2017) presents “La Ola,” a feminist story centered on abortion and student movements in Chile, starring Daniela López. Meanwhile, Gael García Bernal leads the cast of “Magalhães,” directed by Lav Diaz. The historical drama focuses on Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, with Darío Yazbek Bernal and Roger Alan Koza also in the cast.
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Also featured in Cannes Premiere is “Orwell: 2+2=5,” the latest documentary by Haitian director Raoul Peck, which explores the life and legacy of George Orwell.
In the La Cinef short film section, the only Latin American entry is “Tres” by Argentine filmmaker Juan Ignacio Ceballos. Selected from over 2,000 submissions, this short is a romantic comedy set during a countryside dinner that takes an unexpected turn as the night unfolds.
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Beyond the screenings, Brazil will be honored at the Marché du Film, Cannes’ movie market. A special tribute will be paid to the late Brazilian filmmaker Carlos Diegues with the screening of the documentary “Para Vigo me voy” by Lírio Ferreira and Karen Harley. Cannes Classics will also celebrate Latin cinema with restored versions of “Amores perros” by Alejandro González Iñárritu and “Más allá del olvido” by Hugo del Carril, the latter believed to have influenced Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.”
It might not be the most representative year for Latin America at Cannes, but each of these movies brings something vital to the table, from stories about identity and social movements to reflections on history and memory. And with names like Pedro Pascal, Gael García Bernal, and Sebastián Lelio in the mix, Latin talent continues to shine on one of cinema’s biggest stages.
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