The Message (2025 film)

The Message
Festival release poster
SpanishEl mensaje
Directed byIván Fund
Written by
  • Iván Fund
  • Martín Felipe Castagnet
Produced by
  • Laura Mara Tablón
  • Gustavo Schiaffino
Starring
CinematographyGustavo Schiaffino
Edited byIván Fund
Music byMauro Mourelos
Production
company
Rita Cine

Insomnia Films Animista Cine

Release date
Running time
90 minutes
Countries
  • Argentina
  • Spain
LanguageSpanish

The Message (Spanish: El mensaje) is a 2025 Argentine-Spanish drama road movie written and directed by Iván Fund. The film is about opportunistic guardians living in rural Argentina, who exploit a child's unique ability by offering animal medium consultation for profit.[1]

The Argentine-Spanish co-production film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival,[2] on 18 February 2025, where it won the Silver Bear Jury Prize.[3]

Synopsis

Amid an economic downturn, a 9-year-old girl who can communicate with animals and her profit-driven guardians work as pet mediums, traveling through the Argentine countryside in a motorhome to visit the girl's mother in a mental institution. This heartfelt road film explores family communication struggles, the tension between innocence and opportunism, and the blurred line between truth and deception in their supernatural business. Regardless of its authenticity, their service ensures no one feels alone, highlighting the value of connection.

Cast

Production

In August 2024, San Sebastián Film Festival selected the film as its Work-in-Progress Latam project.[4]

Release

The Message had its world premiere on 18 February 2025, as part of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in Competition.[5][6][7]

Paris-based Luxbox acquired the sales rights of the film in January 2025.[8]

The film will be screened in Global Vision at the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival on 12 April 2025.[9][10]

The film will be presented in the Latin Horizons section at the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2025.[11]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10.[12]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 23 February 2025 Golden Bear The Message Nominated [13]
Silver Bear Jury Prize Won [14]

References

  1. ^ Iván Fund (24 January 2025). "The Message". Cineuropa. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  2. ^ Rosser, Michael (21 January 2025). "Berlin film festival reveals 2025 competition line-up 2025". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  3. ^ Ntim, Zac (22 February 2025). "Berlin Film Festival: Norwegian Film 'Dreams (Sex Love)' Wins Golden Bear, Andrew Scott & Rose Byrne Take Acting Honors — Full List". Deadline. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  4. ^ Olmo, Júlia (7 August 2024). "San Sebastián announces its WIP Latam selection". Cineuropa. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  5. ^ Davide Abbatescianni (21 January 2025). "The Berlinale unveils the titles playing in its Competition and its Perspectives and Berlinale Special strands". Cineuropa. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  6. ^ Ntim, Zac (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Richard Linklater, Jessica Chastain, A$AP Rocky & Marion Cotillard Movies Among Vibrant Selection". Deadline. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  7. ^ "The Message". Berlinale. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  8. ^ Leo Barraclough (21 January 2025). "Luxbox Acquires Berlinale Competition Title 'The Message,' directed by Iván Fund (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  9. ^ Shackleton, Liz (17 March 2025). "'The Brightest Sun', 'Pavane For An Infant' To Open HKIFF; Leos Carax & Ando Sakura Among Filmmakers Set To Attend". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  10. ^ "The Message". HKIFF. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  11. ^ "Jose Mari Goenaga y Aitor Arregi, José Luis Guerin y Alberto Rodríguez competirán por la Concha de Oro en la 73ª edición del Festival de San Sebastián" [Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi, José Luis Guerín, and Alberto Rodríguez will compete for the Golden Shell at the 73rd San Sebastián Film Festival.]. San Sebastián International Film Festival (in Spanish). 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  12. ^ "The Message". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  13. ^ Scott Roxborough (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Movies From Richard Linklater, Michel Franco, Hang Song-Soo in Competition (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  14. ^ Scott Roxborough (22 February 2025). "Norwegian Queer Love Story 'Dreams' Wins 75th Berlin Film Festival (Full Winners List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
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