Debuting at the 77th Biennale Cinema Film Festival in Venice, Italy, the 21-year-old Belizean actress and model Indira Andrewin makes waves with Selva Trágica, earning her a nomination for Best Actress. The 77th Venice Film Festival was held from September 2-12, 2020, albeit in a “more restrained format” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Australian actress Cate Blanchett was appointed as the President of the Jury.
Playing the protagonist ‘Agnes’ in the film by Mexican Director Yulene Olaizola, Andrewin embodies the legend of the Xtabay – a spirit of the rainforest who drives men mad and leads them to ruin. Filmed in the Belizean jungle, the interaction between the workers and Agnes is fascinating; they slowly sink into the belief that she is the said spirit of the rainforest. Ultimately, Best Actress was awarded to English Actress Vanessa Kirby for her starring turn alongside Shia LeBeouf in Pieces of a Woman (2020).
Selva Trágica (2020)
(L-R) Rubén Imaz, Director Yulene Olaizola, Indira Andrewin and Pablo Zimbrón Alva attend the photocall of the movie "Selva Tragica" at the 77th Venice Film Festival on September 09, 2020 in Venice, Italy. (Sept. 8, 2020 - Source: Eli Villa/Getty Images Europe)
(L-R) Guest, Rubén Imaz, Director Yulene Olaizola, Indira Andrewin, Pablo Zimbrón Alva and guest walk the red carpet ahead of the movie "Selva Tragica" at the 77th Venice Film Festival on September 09, 2020 in Venice, Italy. (Sept. 8, 2020 - Source: Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images Europe)
Film still of Selva Tragica.
Indira Andrewin walks the red carpet ahead of closing ceremony at the 77th Venice Film Festival on September 12, 2020 in Venice, Italy. (Sept. 11, 2020 - Source: Eli Villa/Getty Images Europe)
“Andrewin’s performance is captivating and watching her metamorphise is the most fascinating part of the feature… There are thrilling bursts of dark fairy-tale magic that perforate the stark realism.”
– Review of Selva Trágica by Sean Gallen
Selva Trágica is set in 1920 on the border between Mexico and Belize. Deep in the Mayan jungle, a lawless territory where myths abound, a group of Mexican gum workers cross paths with Agnes, a mysterious young Belizean woman. However, her presence incites tension among the men, arousing their fantasies and desires. Filled with new vigor, they face their destiny, without knowing that they have woken up Xtabay, a legendary being that lurks in the heart of the jungle.
Selva Trágica will play at the New York Film Festival later this year and is expected to be featured in Belize at the end of either 2020 or early 2021.
