The Settlers

Los Colonos

64th TIFF: Greek Premiere

In late 19th century Chile, three horsemen are hired by a wealthy landowner to mark the perimeter of his extensive property. Before long, this administrative mission will turn into a blood-soaked hunt of the region's inhabitants. The striking film The Settlers (winner of the FIPRESCI Prize in the “Un Certain Regard” section at the recent Cannes Film Festival) a dark and mesmerizing western with elements of horror, introduces us to an exceptional new directorial voice; Felipe Gálvez, who skillfully employs the codes of genre cinema to critique the atrocities of European colonialism that we cannot – and must not – forget. With its grandiose visual style, enigmatic rhythms, immersive atmosphere, and a brutally realistic depiction of violence, The Settlers recounts a true story steeped in blood and death: the massacre of Chilean indigenous people by Spanish landowners.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Felipe Gálvez

Script: Felipe Gálvez, Antonia Girardi

Cinematography: Simone D’Arcangelo

Editing: Matthieu Taponier

Sound: Tu Duu-Chi, Tu Tse Kang

Music: Harry Allouche

Actors: Mark Stanley, Camilo Arancibia, Benjamín Westfall, Alfredo Castro, Mishell Guaña, Agustín Rittano, Mariano Llinás, Sam Spruell, Adriana Stuven, Luis Machín, Marcelo Alonso

Production: Quijote Films, Rei Cine, Quiddity Films, Volos Films

Producers: Giancarlo Nasi, Benjamin Domenech, Santiago Gallelli, Matías Roveda, Emily Morgan, Thierry Lenouvel, Stefano Centini

Co-production: Cinésud Production, Snowglobe, Film i Väst, Sutor Kolonko, Finite Films, MK2 Films

Co-producers: Katrin Pors, Eva Jakobsen, Mikkel Jersin, Kristina Börjeson, Anthony Muir, Ingmar Trost, Fernando Bascuñán

Costumes: Muriel Parra

Production Design: Sebastián Orgambide

Executive producer: Fernando Bascuñán, Alex C. Lo, Constanza Erenchun, Amy Gardner

Make Up: Damián Brissio

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Chile, Argentina, United Kingdom, Taiwan, France, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, USA

Production Year: 2023

Duration: 97'

Distribution in Greece: Danaos Films

Contact: mk2 Films

Awards/Distinctions: FIPRESCI Prize (Un Certain Regard) – Cannes Film Festival 2023, Best Direction (Narrative Fiction Jury) – Festival de Cine de Lima PUCP 2023

Felipe Gálvez

Felipe Gálvez (1983) is a Chilean filmmaker, writer, and editor based in Paris. The Settlers (2023) is his debut feature. His previous works include the short film Rapaz (2018), which also premiered at Cannes as part of the Critics' Week program. His other short films have been awarded by festivals around the world. As an editor, Felipe collaborated with filmmakers such as Marialy Rivas, Kiro Russo, and Alex Anwandter, among others.