The unexpected demise Nov. 6 of Chile’s Oscar-winning Sebastián Lelio (“A Fantastic Woman”) cast a pall over the closing ceremonies of both the festival and industry section of the Santiago Film Festival (Sanfic), which wraps Nov. 8.
\n\nThe red carpet portions of the industry and festival ceremonies held Nov. 6 and 7, respectively, were cancelled. “We dedicate the rest of this festival to Sebastián,” said festival director Carlos Nuñez and Sanfic Industria head Gabriela Sandoval, both visibly bereft. “His films will remain as his legacy but his passing is incredibly painful, especially because he had been so close to the festival since its very beginning,” said Nuñez.
\n\nLelio’s family announced that the Cineteca Nacional (National Film Library) would be open to all those who wished to pay their respects this weekend. Real life also reminded some festival goers of Lelio’s last film, musical “The Wave” (“La ola”), which dealt with Chile’s violent 2018 student protests, when tear gas met some panel participants as they stepped out of a university. The students were protesting the latest move by the right-wing government of President Kast, whose system-wide budget cuts include education. They also called for the resignation of Justice Minister Fernando Rabat…
Original source: https://variety.com/v/tv/