Overview

Elder Mamani’s father has died, and it looks as if young Elder couldn’t care less, even though he has no one to take care of him now. But he soon finds out about a dark secret about his father’s death.

• Review

  After hearing his father’s calling, young Elder returns his hometown Huanuni. He lives in a coal-mining town with his grandmother. Barely making his ends meet, one day his godfather Francisco offers him a miner position. Once Elder finds out that Francisco is involved with his father’s death, his life completely changes. Dark Skull leaves a powerful impression visually but hard to measure the depth and makes you feel lost. Before he leaves town, he falls into the dark abyss. The mine that swallowed Elder is all or nothing. It is a workplace absolutely necessary for survival but also a place of violence. Through this fascinating debut using facts and fiction, Kiro Russo displays complete control over images. One might discover beauty so brutal in the dark and dreary cave but also be surprised to discover the reincarnation of Neo-realism. [JANG Byungwon]

• Credit

  Director	Kiro RUSSO
  Screenplay	Kiro RUSSO, Gilmar GONZALES
  Producer	Kiro RUSSO, Pablo PANIAGUA, Gilmar GONZLES
  Cinematography	Pablo PANIAGUA
  Art Director	Carlos PINEIRO
  Editor	Kiro RUSSO, Pablo PANIAGUA
  Music	Kano, Alessandro MARCELLO
  Sound	Pepo RAZZARI
  Sound	Julio cesar TICONA, Narcizo CHOQUECALLATA, Anastacia DAZA

Director

Kiro RUSSO

Kiro Russo was born in 1984 in Bolivia, and studied directing at the Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires. He made the short films Enterprisse(2010), Juku(2012) and New Life(2015), winning prices at significant film festivals including the Festival del Film Locarno, the San Sebastian Film Festival, IndieLisboa.