The debut feature from Mexican director, screenwriter, and editor Ernesto Martínez Bucio, titled The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box) or its Spanish equivalent, El Diablo Fuma (y guarda las cabezas de los cerillos quemados en la misma caja), carries an aura of foreboding in both its title and synopsis, promising a haunting cinematic experience. Making its world premiere on Saturday in the esteemed new Perspectives section of the 75th Berlin Film Festival, this film invites viewers into a realm where the boundaries between the mundane and the mystical are delicately blurred.
Promising viewers "a nostalgic voyage back into the enchanted realm of childhood," the narrative unfolds in Mexico City during the mid-1990s, weaving a tale of sibling bonds and the perpetuation of fear across generations.Tagged with a "supernatural" label on the Berlin festival's website, the synopsis delves deeper: "When their parents vanish unexpectedly, five siblings find themselves under the watchful eye of their grandmother. As they grapple with the challenges of survival, the dividing line between reality and a darker, more ominous existence begins to dissolve."
Should these premises not suffice to unsettle you, the film's trailer may well alter your perception. It hints at a chilling scene where one of the children engages in an eerie ritual—but you'll have to see it to believe it!
Co-penned by the director himself alongside Mariapau Karen Plata, the film boasts a talented ensemble cast comprising Bravo Aviña, Rafael Nieto Martínez, Regina Alejandra, Donovan Said, and Laura Uribe Rojas. Martínez Bucio's short films have previously premiered at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, San Sebastián, and Rotterdam, further solidifying his reputation in the industry. Having participated in Berlinale Talents in 2016, his latest venture marks a significant milestone in his promising directorial journey.
