The Shadow of the Sun

Synopsis

Leo (Carlos Manuel Gonzalez) is a blue-collar worker with a musical past living in the remote city of Acarigua, nestled in the Venezuelan inland empire. Haunted by financial debt and problems at home, he does anything to stay afloat.

One day, his younger brother Alex (Anyelo Lopez) who has been deaf since birth, offers him a solution: to participate in a musical contest in the capital, Caracas, performing a song that he has written himself, because the first prize may solve all his economic problems.

Forced by circumstance, Leo must take a leap of faith, unearth his dormant musical talent, and do the impossible to change his and his brother’s future by joining their voices in an unforgettable journey.

Shadow of the Sun (La sombra del sol) is 1 hour 38 minutes long and is in Spanish with English subtitles. This film is not rated.

Note: Photos and synopsis courtesy of Outsider Pictures, US distributor of The Shadow of the Sun.

Trailer

Reviews

“There is a reason The Shadow of the Sun was Venezuela’s official entry for best foreign language film at last year’s Academy Awards. It combines the human interest story, complicated by a deaf brother, with the determination to prove everybody wrong.” FlickDirect — Allison Rose

“…the production of this beautiful film walks through dramas and humorous dialogues in the midst of tangible social situations that do not diminish the desire to fulfill a wish: to win a music contest in Caracas.” Últimas Noticias — Dew Cazal

Awards & Festivals

2023 Festival del Cine Venezolano

  • Winner — Best Actor in a feature film (Carlos Manuel González)
  • Winner — Best Sound in a feature film
  • Winner — Best First Film (Miguel Angel Ferrer)
  • Winner — Critics and Press Award for a feature film (Miguel Angel Ferrer)

2024 Seattle Latino Film Awards

  • Winner — Special Jury Prize/Jury Award (Miguel Angel Ferrer — director)
  • Winner — Best Actor/Breakthrough Actor (Anyelo Lopez)

2023 Georgia Latino International Film Festival

  • Winner — Best International Feature Film (Miguel Angel Ferrer — director)