Leonor Reyes was once a groundbreaking figure in the Filipino film industry during its ragtag action cinema glory days, but now she struggles with old age, mounting bills, and the untimely death of her son. While revisiting an unfinished script about a fearless protagonist trying to avenge his brother’s murder, Leonor is struck on the head by a falling television set and knocked into a coma. As she lays unconscious in the hospital, fantasy and reality begin to blur when Leonor finds herself awake inside her script, becoming the hero of her own story.
Winner of the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, Leonor Will Never Die is the wondrous debut of writer/director Martika Ramirez Escobar and, according to RogerEbert.com, “reaffirms how ingenious the medium can be in the grasp of the right artist.” To learn more about Ramirez Escobar, check out her interviews with the Los Angeles Times and Letterboxd about what influenced Leonor Will Never Die as well as her appearance on NPR’s All Things Considered. Then come see the film yourself at IU Cinema this Friday and Saturday!
“Wonderfully unclassifiable! Martika Ramirez Escobar’s heartfelt, zany tribute to the magic of movies and the power of love.” — AO Scott, The New York Times
Leonor Will Never Die will be screened at IU Cinema on February 3 at 7 pm and February 4 at 4 pm as part of this semester’s International Art House Series.