The Sacrifice

Two biologists, who are also lovers, arrive in a Colombian nature reserve to investigate the mysterious death of birds in the area. The introverted park guide Marcos reluctantly accepts the task of helping them with what they need and showing them around in the reserve. Interacting with other human beings is not Marcos' favourite activity, and the contrast is striking between the solitary character of his existence and the visitors' relatively mundane concerns. As Marcos self-inflicted isolation is broken, the tension rises between him and the researchers, revealing the dark side of his personality.

Having previously worked in the horror genre, director Jaime Osorio Marquez explores the psychological thriller with The Sacrifice, dealing first and foremost with the dark sides of the human mind. He does not leave the viewer with an easy task, and only gives ambiguous answers to the film's own mysteries. But The Sacrifice is nevertheless a captivating experience, with strong performances and confident directing. We are thrown into the Colombian wilderness, fascinated by its mystique, and left in a state of thrilling discomfort. Johanne Svendsen Rognlien

Jaime Osorio Marquez (b. 1975) wrote and directed his first feature film El páramo in 2011, which won him the award for Best Script at the Guadalajara Film Festival i 2012. Like The Sacrifice, it explores the psychologigal thriller genre. Marques has also worked on the TV series El Laberinto.