The Paraguayan Academy of Film Arts and Sciences announced that the film Narciso is set to represent the country internationally. The film will represent Paraguay at the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. It will also represent the country at the 41st Goya Awards in the Best Ibero-American Film category.
Narcico is based on the real-life case of Paraguayan broadcaster Bernardo Aranda, a young enthusiast of rock and roll in the late 50s in Paraguay; A time when Alfredo Stroessner´s dictatorship was establishing and defining its power around the country. The film was directed by Paraguayan filmmaker Marcelo Martinessi and based on the novel Narciso by Paraguayan writer Guido Rodríguez Alcalá. Narciso, the film, stars Diro Romero, Manuel Cuenca, Arturo Fleitas, and Margarita Irún.
Narciso to compete internationally
The Paraguayan Academy, founded just over 12 years ago, gives Paraguayan filmmakers the opportunity to have their films entered into international competitions. Every year between August and September, Paraguayan filmmakers submit their recent works for consideration. Members of the Paraguayan Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences then review the submitted films. Finally, they vote to decide which production will represent Paraguay internationally.
This task of selecting one film per category allows it to be considered for major international awards. Among these, the Oscars, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (USA). Another one is the Goya Awards, presented by the Spanish Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AACCE).
Journalist Lucía Sapena is a member of the Paraguayan Film Academy. In an interview following the news, she described how the film Narciso had been selected: “We were summoned by some members of the Paraguayan Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to vote on whether or not we agreed that the film should represent Paraguay at the Oscars and the Goya Awards.”
She also added, “By a unanimous decision of the voting members, it was decided that ‘Narciso’ would be submitted to both award ceremonies.”
Paraguay’s growing presence
This is not the first film directed by Marcelo Martinessi to be selected for consideration for the Oscars and Goya Awards. The Academy previously selected his opera prima, Las herederas (The Heiresses), in 2018. The film did not move forward to the official competition, but it went on to receive recognition from other international awards and organisations, such as the Berlinale.
For the local film community, this selection provides another opportunity to showcase the strength and talent within Paraguay’s current film scene. It also encourages both Paraguayan and international audiences to support locally produced films. Paraguay’s growing presence in international markets could further strengthen the country’s film industry and expand its global reach.
