LA CIVIL

LA CIVIL

Explosive Thriller Based on True Events About a Woman’s Showdown Against a Drug Cartel to Rescue Her Kidnapped Daughter

The Cannes Award-Winning Debut Feature from Director Teodora Ana Mihai and Co-Producers Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, Cristian Mungiu, and Michel Franco

La Civil unfolds with documentary-like precision as it details the human impact of drug cartels in Northern Mexico. Cielo (Arcelia Ramírez, in a galvanizing performance) learns her daughter Laura has been kidnapped when a baby-faced teenager orders her to pay 150,000 pesos if she wants to see Laura again. With no police support, Cielo embarks on her own investigation, peeling back layers of Mexico’s societal corruption in an increasingly desperate effort to save her child. Inspired by true events, Belgian-Romanian director Teodora Ana Mihai delivers a bold and suspenseful debut feature, collaborating with Mexican co-screenwriter Habacuc Antonio De Rosario and world-renowned co-producers Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, Cristian Mungiu, and Michel Franco.

La Civil, the award-winning debut feature of director Teodora Ana Mihai, is now available on DVD and all major VOD platforms. 

This “Revenge Narco-Western” (Variety), inspired by true events and winner of the Un Certain Regard Prize of Courage at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the harrowing story of a mother whose daughter is kidnapped by a powerful drug cartel and held for ransom. With no one to turn to for help, she must take on the cartel herself, and bring her daughter safely home.

(Mexico | 2023 | 134 min | In Spanish with English subtitles)

The DVD bonus features include deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and the trailer.

Winner – 2021 Cannes Film Festival – Un Certain Regard, Prize of Courage

“A gripping and heartbreaking film. A revenge narco-western set in Northern Mexico… tensely thrilling. The veteran Mexican actress, Arcelia Ramírez (Like Water For Chocolate), gives a towering performance.” – Manuel Betancourt, VARIETY

“An explosive fiction debut…a gripping thriller than balances tension with a nuanced portrait of the culture of violence that has come to define modern Mexico. A commanding, award-worthy central performance from Arcelia Ramirez.” – Allan Hunter, SCREEN

“Gripping…powerful… An authentic portrait of this dangerous world.”
– Gary M. Kramer, SALON

“A harrowingly immersive portrait of a society being eaten alive from within.”
– Kyle Smith, WALL STREET JOURNAL

“This movie grabs you by the heart.” – Glenn Kenny, ROGEREBERT.COM

WHO
Directed by Teodora Ana Mihai
Starring Arcelia Ramírez, Alvaro Guerrero, Ayelen Muzo, Jorge A. Jiminez
WHERE
Now Available on DVD and Major VOD Platforms
WHEN
May 17, 2023 12:00am
Add Calendar Reminder?
SHARE:
The
LATEST:

2024 Sundance Film Festival Unveils Festival Site, Official Logo, Ticketing Details, and On Sale Dates

Retrospective DCTV @ 50 (Starts Thursdsay!)

MOLLY SINGER

EXPEND4BLES Movie

WHAT DOESN'T FLOAT

The Super Models

FLORA AND SON

Lessons in Chemistry

Killers of the Flower Moon

DARK HARVEST

ACADEMY ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF SIXTH GOLD FELLOWSHIP FOR WOMEN

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

American Fiction

CONDITION OF RETURN

Brady Bunch & More: Eve Plumb's Jan Brady Career Archives Heading to Julien's Auctions

A HAUNTING IN VENICE

ARISTOTLE & DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE

JOAN BAEZ I AM A NOISE

SILVER DOLLAR ROAD