Mamacruz

The plot concerns about the rediscovery of an old woman's long-forgotten sexuality and desire.[1]

Initially developed by Ortega in her native Venezuela, the project did not manage to persuade potential co-producers to work in the country.[3] Upon a meeting of Ortega with Olmo Figueredo at 2019 Rome's MIA Market, the project eventually moved across the Atlantic to Spain.[4][3] The screenplay was penned by Ortega alongside José Ortuño, who helped to adapt the script to a "Sevillian idiosyncrasy".[4][3]

A Spanish-Venezuela co-production, the film was produced by La Claqueta PC, Mamacruz AIE, and Pecado Films alongside Mandrágora Films, with the participation of Canal Sur Radio y Televisión, support from ICAA, and help from A.A.II.CC.[5][1] Shooting locations included Seville.[3]

Selected for the 'World Cinema Dramatic Competition' slate, Mamacruz premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on 20 January 2023.[6][7] Filmax swooped on international rights to the film in advance of its world premiere.[1] It also made it to an out-of-competition slot of the official selection of the 68th Valladolid International Film Festival for its European premiere.[8]

According to the American review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, Mamacruz has a 100% approval rating based on 16 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 7.8/10.[9]

Jonathan Holland of ScreenDaily assessed that "the veteran Manver delivers a masterclass in nuance as a quietly-spoken, humble and repressed woman undergoing a violent inner transformation".[2]

Jacob Oller of Paste deemed Mamacruz to be "a vibrant and lovely character study", that "makes the most of its horny matriarch".[10]

Laurence Boyce of Cineuropa deemed the film to be a "personal and affecting piece of work that is both an achingly human portrait of a woman exploring her desires in her later years and a celebration of female sexuality".[11]

• List of Spanish films of 2023

• Mamacruz at IMDb