Corina | OBSCURAE @ Raindance 2025

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¡Corina es a toda madre! Apologies, couldn’t help myself. But as a Mexican, I had to proudly praise this film for what it is: a treat. Set in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the year 2000, the movie tells the story of a 28-year-old agoraphobic woman, who has to leave her neighbourhood for the first in her life, in order to fix a problem she created in her publishing job. 

Corina is charming in every sense. The colour palette in exquisite and vibrant, full of eye-popping colours like Amelie. The music is intense and conflicting, mainly consisting of drums, much like in Birdman or Whiplash. Yet the script and the characters are what shines through, with meticulous details about the protagonist’s inner world and her setting. Because you can tell this is a love letter to editors, writers and bookworms out there; and how stories can truly change our lives for the better. And you can tell it’s a Mexican film, by the small yet specific showcase of Guadalajara’s streets, the relationship between Corina and her overprotective yet well-intentioned mother, and the manner in which the people talk: a language so uniquely ours albeit translated accurately to international audiences. 

The naivety and fear of our protagonist is an easy hook for us to relate to, because anxiety and dread are sadly common human emotions that everyone at least has gone through once or twice. However, the message for the audience echoed through: there are brave people who are just waiting for the right moment to step outside their comfort zone and live their lives to the fullest. Through a funny, heartwarming and quirky adventure, Corina will give you that message with a unique story, giving you a taste of the fascinating world of making books, and of the even more colourful landscape of Mexican culture.