ESPINA
Director: Daniel Poler
Feature film | Panama, USA | 2025
90 min | Discrete 7.1
59th Hof International Film Festival
2025
Bitter after losing his job, Venezuelan expat Jonathan plans a holiday to Panama City before his spinal surgery. Paraplegic and unable to travel far on his own, he recruits a down-on-her-luck actress and a cynical playboy as makeshift aides for the journey from Mexico City. Lavishly funded by donations meant for his “surgery,” this unlikely trio ventures into Panama’s wild side, and it’s no longer clear if Jonathan chose his destination for diversion or to avenge a long-held grudge.
With Aarón Díaz, Jonathan Benaim, Juliette Roy, Lola Ponce, Marigaby Sealy, Mimí Lazo, Paulina Mondragón
Screenplay Daniel Poler, Cinematography Jorge Abarca, Editing Daniel Poler, Production design Amine Ayoub, Costume design Laurie Batista, Casting Marcela Bejarano, María Isabel Burnes, Sound Carlos Beto Urriola, Sound design Carlos E. García, Music Tomás Altamirano, Make-up Marilyn González, Executive Production Jorge Abarca, Paulina Mondragón, Gloria Ortega, Sarah Lash, Helen Estabrook, Paul Moakley, Lajoie St George, Melissa Fajardo, Production Daniel Poler, Jorge Abarca, Paulina Mondragón, Gloria Ortega, Frida Torresblanco, Ari Tan
