Mexico’s prestigious Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences has selected Pierre Saint Martin’s remarkable debut feature, “We Shall Not Be Moved” (“No nos moverán”), to compete for the coveted Best International Feature Oscar.
Produced by Varios Lobos’ Víctor Léycegui and Pablo Zimbrón, this black-and-white drama recently triumphed at Mexico’s renowned Ariel Awards, winning four accolades including Best First Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best New Actor. In addition, the film will also represent Mexico at Spain’s equivalent of the Oscars, the Goyas.
The narrative centers on Socorro, a 67-year-old retired lawyer who becomes fixated on tracking down the soldier responsible for her brother’s death during the notorious Tlatelolco massacre of 1968. This tragic event saw university students protesting the Mexico City Olympics met with lethal force from the Mexican military. Socorro’s obsession deeply strains her relationships with her sister, Esperanza (70), and her son, Jorge (45).
A pivotal clue eventually leads her to the soldier, prompting Socorro to devise an audacious plan for revenge against her brother’s killer, a decision that threatens her familial bonds, her legacy, and even her own life.
Saint Martin commented: “‘We Shall Not Be Moved’ aims to reclaim our country’s historical memory in a humane light, beginning with my mother’s family history, which resonates with numerous families who suffered losses during the October 2, 1968, massacre in Mexico.” He continued, “The primary character, inspired by my mother—who has weathered many tragedies with humor—was essential in conveying that this drama needed to be infused with humor to critique the diverse afflictions faced by the characters, such as nostalgia and grief. We crafted this film as a celebration of life emerging from the shadows of the human soul: a painful yet hopeful reflection, embodying Julio Cortázar’s notion that ‘hope is life itself defending itself.'”
Lead actress Luisa Huertas, who received an Ariel for her outstanding performance, shared, “Pierre Saint Martin and Iker Compeán’s script is set 57 years after the events, placing us in a contemporary family context like many in Mexico dealing with the aftermath. It is an intimate, loving, and engaging story that has resonated not only in Mexico but also across Europe, Latin America, and the United States.”
“We Shall Not Be Moved” prevailed over nine other contenders, including works from established directors like Rodrigo Garcia’s “Las locuras,” Mexico’s pioneering stop-motion animated feature “I Am Frankelda,” Alejandro Andrade’s “Hombres integros,” Urzula Barba Hopfner’s “Corina,” and Ernesto González Díaz’s documentary “Concierto para otras manos.”
Released by Nicolas Celis’ Pimienta Films (“Roma”), the feature had a limited rollout and, according to Léycegui, amassed around 1.5 million pesos (approximately $75,000) with 23,000 admissions. Negotiations for an SVOD platform are currently in progress, with Léycegui noting that the release strategy focused on arthouse cinemas and notably outperformed similar films.
“‘We Shall Not Be Moved’ has continuously surprised us at every phase of its distribution and exhibition. The project commenced as a debut feature with a modest budget, aimed to demonstrate Pierre’s powerful voice as a director and his significant vision,” said Léycegui, adding that the film has participated in over 40 international festivals and exceeded its projected box office earnings by more than double.
Joshua Sobel, Martín Burillo, and Saint Martin serve as executive producers for the film.
The Oscar international feature shortlist is set to be revealed on December 16, with the final five nominees being announced on January 22. The 98th Academy Awards will occur on March 15, 2026, while the Goyas are slated for February 28 next year.
