Lila Avilés Completes Filming of New Feature Cábula Ahead of Venice Market

Lila Avilés, who earned the Golden Bear for Totém, announced that principal photography on her next feature Cábula is complete and shared an exclusive image with the press. Set in the imagined Mexican community of Mexicalpan, the film follows teacher Toña, portrayed by longtime collaborator Teresita Sánchez, as she leads her class on a trip to the capital where they confront elitist forces seeking to exploit their culture.

Produced by Nicolás Celis for Cuadernos de Cine, a sister company to Pimienta Films, and co-produced by Maria Zamora of Elastica Films, the project also features Gabriela Cartol and Montserrat Marañón. Avilés and Miguel Vasallo wrote the screenplay, which Avilés says uses comedy as a tool of resistance and a tribute to under-paid teachers. Cábula will be pitched at the Venice Gap-Financing Market, scheduled for Sept. 4-6, aiming to secure additional partners for the film’s completion.