Mexican filmmaker Lila Avilés has wrapped production on her third feature, “Cábula,” and released a first-look image. The account is based on Variety’s reporting, which followed the film’s presentation at the Venice Gap-Financing Market, held Sept. 4–6.
Set in the fictional Mexican town of Mexicalpan, “Cábula” follows Toña, a compassionate teacher whose class travels to the capital after being invited to represent its community. There, they encounter elites seeking to appropriate and exploit their customs. The story centers on Toña’s commitment to her students despite betrayal and other challenges.
Avilés and Miguel Vasallo wrote the screenplay. Nicolás Celis, a producer of “Roma,” is producing for Cuadernos de Cine, the Mexico City company he founded in 2008 and a sister company to Pimienta Films. Maria Zamora of Elastica Films is co-producing.
The cast includes Teresita Sánchez, Gabriela Cartol and Montserrat Marañón. Sánchez, who also appeared in Avilés’ “The Chambermaid” and “Totém,” plays Toña. Avilés described Sánchez as her “muse” and said the character’s nurturing presence provides a moral counterweight to the surrounding chaos, according to Variety.
The film is Avilés’ follow-up to “Totém,” which won the Ecumenical Prize at the 2023 Berlinale. Her debut, “The Chambermaid,” premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Ariel First Feature Film Award.
For global film audiences tracking emerging directors, awards titles and international production, “Cábula” marks the next stage in Avilés’ career while extending her focus on education, community and Mexican life through comedy. The report does not announce a release date.
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