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Diego Luna estrena “Ceniza en la boca” en el TIFF 2026: Su proyecto más crudo
Diego Luna’s New Film "Ash in the Mouth" Travels the World: A Simple Guide
What Is This Movie All About?
Imagine a story about a brave young woman named Lucila (played by Anna Díaz). She’s 21 years old and feels stuck. Her family puts pressure on her, she faces unfair treatment because she’s a woman (misogyny), and because of her background (racism).
Important Point: Misogyny means prejudice against women. Racism means prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity.
Lucila decides to take a big leap. She and her younger brother travel all the way from Mexico to Spain. Why? Their mother (played by famous actress Adriana Paz) moved there eight years ago to work. Lucila hopes to find her mom and build a new life. But when they arrive, things are much harder than they dreamed.
The movie is called "Ceniza en la boca" (which translates to "Ash in the Mouth"). It’s based on a famous book by writer Brenda Navarro.
Where Has the Movie Been Showing? (The Festival Journey)
Think of film festivals like big, fancy movie parties where new films are shown for the first time to audiences and critics. "Ash in the Mouth" has been invited to some of the most important parties in the world!
1. Cannes Film Festival (France)
- First stop! This is like the "Oscars of film festivals." The movie had its world premiere here.
2. Toronto International Film Festival – TIFF (Canada)
- North American Premiere! This is the first time people in the US and Canada can see it.
- Dates: September 10–20 (the 51st edition).
- Cool fact: It’s playing in a special section with other amazing movies like After Elena, Moscas, and Amor es el monstruo.
3. San Sebastián Film Festival (Spain)
- Competition Time! The movie will compete in the "Horizontes Latinos" (Latin Horizons) section.
- Rivals: It goes head-to-head with other great Latin American films like Moscas (by Fernando Eimbcke) and Chicas tristes (by Fernanda Tovar).
4. Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
- Special Honor! Director Diego Luna isn’t just showing the movie here. He’s receiving the "Honorary Heart" award! This prize celebrates his whole amazing career and contributions to cinema.
Who Made This Movie? (The Team Behind the Scenes)
Making a movie takes a village! Here are the key players:
| Role | Person/Team | What They Did (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|
| Director & Co-Writer | Diego Luna | The captain of the ship! He guided the actors and helped write the script. |
| Co-Writers | Abia Castillo & Diego Rabasa | Helped turn the book into a movie script. |
| Lead Actress (Lucila) | Anna Díaz | Plays the brave 21-year-old at the center of the story. |
| Mother (Adriana Paz) | Adriana Paz | A super famous Mexican actress playing the mom who left for Spain. |
| Brother | Sergio Bautista | Plays Lucila’s younger brother. |
| Cinematography | Damian García | Decided how the movie looks (camera angles, lighting, colors). |
| Editing | Sofi Escudé | Put all the filmed pieces together like a puzzle to make the final story. |
| Costume Design | Gabriela Fernández | Designed all the clothes the actors wear. |
| Production Design | Hania Robledo Richards & Asier Musitu | Built/designed the sets and locations (houses, streets, rooms). |
Important Point: The movie was filmed in two countries: Mexico and Spain — just like the journey in the story!
What Does the Star Say About the Film?
Anna Díaz (Lucila) shared her thoughts with The Hollywood Reporter en Español:
"Lucila has the strength to start from zero and say: ‘I’m here now, I’ll face it, and I’ll live it with the intensity it deserves.’ The movie feels like a beautiful letter about a mother-daughter relationship. It’s a journey of recognition and letting go. It’s about growing up, facing your wounds, and deciding what to do with them."
A Note from the Director
Diego Luna calls this project "the result of a creative journey full of independence and freedom." That means he made the movie his way, telling the story he wanted to tell without outside pressure.
Summary: Why Should You Care?
- Powerful Story: It tackles real, tough issues (family, migration, gender, race) through a young woman’s eyes.
- Top Talent: Directed by Diego Luna (star of Rogue One, Narcos: Mexico, Andor) starring award-winner Adriana Paz.
- Festival Favorite: Selected for Cannes, Toronto, San Sebastián, AND Sarajevo — that’s a "Grand Slam" of festivals!
- Book Adaptation: Based on Brenda Navarro’s acclaimed novel.
- Timely Themes: Migration, mother-daughter bonds, and finding your identity are universal struggles.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Is "Ceniza en la boca" in English?
A: No, the original language is Spanish. Since it’s playing at major festivals like TIFF, it will have English subtitles for international audiences.
Q: When can I watch it (not at a festival)?
A: Festival screenings happen first. A regular theatrical release or streaming date (Netflix, etc.) usually gets announced months later. Keep an eye on film news!
Q: Do I need to read the book first?
A: Not at all! Movies based on books are made to stand on their own. You can enjoy the film without reading the novel (but the book is great too!).
Q: What is "Horizontes Latinos" in San Sebastián?
A: It’s a competition section dedicated solely to Latin American cinema. Winning there is a huge honor for a Latin American film.
Q: Why is Diego Luna getting an award in Sarajevo if the movie is playing elsewhere?
A: The Honorary Heart is a career achievement award. It’s for everything he’s done (acting, directing, producing) over many years. The Sarajevo festival invited him to receive it while he’s there promoting his new movie.
Enjoy the journey of "Ash in the Mouth" — a small story with a big heart, traveling the world’s biggest stages!
