# The Mighty Victoria

The Mighty Victoria (Spanish: El Poderoso Victoria) is a 2021 Mexican adventure comedy-drama film written and directed by Raúl Ramón in his directorial debut. Starring Damián Alcázar, Gerardo Oñate, Joaquín Cosío, Roberto Sosa, Edgar Vivar, Lorena de la Torre and Luis Felipe Tovar.

## Synopsis

In the middle of the Mexican desert in 1936, is the town La Esperanza where they are informed of the closure of the mine, their main source of income, and with it the suspension of the railway route, their only means of communication with the rest of civilization. The young mechanic Durán must choose between giving up his roots by crossing the northern border, or helping a group of residents build their own steam train.

## Cast

The actors participating in this film are:
* Gerardo Oñate as Durán
* Damián Alcázar as Don Federico
* Roberto Sosa as The Wixárrika Indian
* Edgar Vivar as Don Edgar
* Eduardo España as Telegraphist
* Luis Felipe Tovar as The one-eyed
* Said Sandoval as "El Cheque"
* Rogeiro Martín del Campo as "El Sinaloa"
* Alberto Trujillo as "The Donkey"
* Joaquín Cosío as Jacinto the Machinist
* Lorena de la Torre as Victoria
* Adal Ramones as Raúl Martínez
* Daniel Martínez as Lic. Daniel Martínez
* Alonso Echánove as Tata Julio
* Ana Monterrubio as Fabiola
* Paulino Partida as Epigmenio
* Iñaki Ramón as Antonio
* Belén Rodríguez as Dona Carmelita
* José Sefami as Don Julián
* Andy Chavez de Moore as María Luisa
* Cornelio García as Male Octogenarian
* Martha Morales as Female Octogenarian
* Sonia Sánchez as Nun 1
* Karen Flores as Nun 2
* Helena Corona as Brunette woman
* Javier Lacroix as Priest
* Nena Aceves as "La Güera"

## Production

Principal photography began on May 9, 2019, at Mapimí and Ojuela Bridge in Durango, Mexico. It was also filmed in Jalisco, Puebla & Aguascalientes.

## Release

It initially premiered in Mexico on November 4, 2021, at the Guadalajara International Film Festival. It was commercially released on November 24, 2022, in Mexican theaters.

## Reception
### Critical reception

Irving Torres Yllán from Cine NT called the film a candid effort to tell a story suitable for the whole family, as well as possessing good special effects. However, it also highlights the rhythm that fails at times, the unbelievable situations and the lack of emotion in its soundtrack. Loretta Chnattiri from Código Spaghetti highlights the fidelity of the tape in recreating the atmosphere of the thirties, in addition to calling the film more of a visual spectacle because the script and the direction of the actors are described as poor.

### Accolades

| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2021 | Guadalajara International Film Festival | Best Feature Film - Audience Award | The Mighty Victoria | Won |
| 2021 | Prague Film Festival | Best Film | The Mighty Victoria | Won |
| 2022 | Ferrara Film Festival | Best Director | Raúl Ramón | Won |
| 2022 | San Diego Latino Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature - Audience Award | The Mighty Victoria | Won |
| 2022 | Canacine Awards | Best Newcomer - Male | Gerardo Oñate | Nominated |
| 2022 | Canacine Awards | Industry Development | The Mighty Victoria | Won |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Film | Raúl Ramón & Fabiola Velázquez | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best First Work | Raúl Ramón | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Direction | Raúl Ramón | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Screenplay | Raúl Ramón | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Actor | Damián Alcázar | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Supporting Actor | Joaquín Cosío | Won |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Newcomer - Male | Gerardo Oñate | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Actor in a Minor Role | Luis Felipe Tovar | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Actress in a Minor Role | Lorena de la Torre | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Cinematography | Raúl Ramón | Won |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Music | Fernando Velázquez | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best Original Song | Belén Rodríguez ("El Poderoso Victoria") | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ariel Awards | Best Costume Design | Mayra Juárez | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ariel Awards | Best Special Effects | Elliot Rebollar Feregrino | Nominated |