Directed by Juan López Moctezuma | Mexico | 78 min
Spanish language film with English subtitles
Two orphaned girls find friendship—and something far more sinister—inside a convent. When one falls under a satanic influence, the film spirals into exorcism, blood-soaked ritual, and unrelenting hysteria.
Alucarda is a fiery, hallucinatory take on demonic possession, where Catholic repression collides with gothic excess. Beneath the horror lies a radical interrogation of spiritual control, female agency, and colonial guilt in a culture where faith and fear are inseparable.
Español:
Una visión encendida y alucinante sobre la posesión demoníaca, Alucarda sigue a dos adolescentes huérfanas en un convento que caen bajo la influencia satánica. Lo que inicia como una amistad se transforma en histeria, rituales sangrientos y exorcismos.
Alucarda se sumerge en la compleja relación de México con el catolicismo—su represión, su espectáculo, su violencia—ofreciendo una mirada radical sobre la agencia femenina. Su energía delirante y exceso gótico atraviesan la culpa colonial y el control espiritual, reflejando una cultura donde la fé y el miedo son inseparables.
Written & translated by Adrian G. Del la Peña.
Part of our Mexsorcismo Series.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.