The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo is the seductive title of young Chilean writer-director Diego Céspedes’ feature film debut. The modern western, which explores themes of love, chosen family, and myths, world premiered in Cannes‘ Un Certain Regard section, where it won the section’s top award. More recently, Chile selected it as the country’s entry for the best international feature category of the Oscars.
The AIDS allegory has also played at the likes of Toronto, AFI Fest, and San Sebastian, where it was honored as the best Latin American film, on its travels throughout the film festival circuit.
Set in a mining town in the Chilean desert in the 1980s, the genre-bending movie stars Tamara Cortés, who portrays Lidia, Matías Catalán, as the titular Flamingo, and Paula Dinamarca. And it taps into the queer director’s experiences with fear, hatred, and even violence.
The story revolves around Lidia, 12, who grows up in a loving queer family pushed to the edge. “As an unknown disease begins to spread in a small mining town in the Chilean desert, gay men are accused of transmitting it through their eyes,” reads a synopsis. “Lidia, the only girl in the community, sets out in search of the truth.”
Produced by Quijote Films in Chile, Les Valseurs in France, and Weydemann Bros. in Germany, with Charades handling sales, The MysteriousGaze of the Flamingo will come to theaters in North America courtesy of Altered Innocence late this year. Cinecolor Films will release the movie in Chile in the first half of 2026.
THR can now exclusively reveal the international trailer for the film below. It not only introduces Lidia and Flamingo, but also various other characters, portrayed by the ensemble cast. But buckle up! Strong language, guns, and more await you. Are you ready to explore if looks can actually kill and if love can save the day? If so, check out the trailer for The MysteriousGaze of the Flamingo below.
