# Robe of Gems

Robe of Gems (Spanish: Manto de gemas) is a 2022 drama film written and directed by Natalia López Gallardo in her directorial debut. Starring Nailea Norvind, Juan Daniel García Treviño, Sherlyn Zavala and Balam Toledo. It competed for the Golden Bear and won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.

## Synopsis

A woman whose sister has disappeared; another, in the process of a divorce, offers to help her; a third, a commercial police officer, attempts to reform her son, who is fascinated with the organized crime lifestyle.

## Cast

The actors participating in this film are:
* Nailea Norvind as Isabel
* Juan Daniel García Treviño as Adán
* Sherlyn Zavala as Valeria
* Balam Toledo as Benjamín
* Mario Torres as Manuel
* Adriana Gallardo as Manuel's wife
* Israel Sánchez as "El ratón"
* Francisco Berdiales as Argentine cousin
* Reina Carmona as Daughter
* Diana Galicia as Lupe
* Ventura Rendón as Ventura
* Maura Guerrero as Venture's Mother
* Ollin Winteler as Ollin
* Manuel Torres as Moska
* Sayel Sotola as Violeta
* Axel Sánchez as Axel
* Edith Salazar as Aurora
* Eugenia Salazar as Police chief
* Antonia Olivares

## Release
### Festivals

It had its international premiere on February 11, 2022, at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival competing for the Golden Bear. It then premiered on April 14, 2022, at the 41st International Istanbul Film Festival, Turkey, on April 22 of the same year at New Directors/New Films Festival, US, on July 24 of the same year at the Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel, on August 13 of the same year at the Melbourne International Film Festival, Australia, on September 22 of the same year at the 70th San Sebastián International Film Festival, USA and on October 11 of the same year at the BFI London Film Festival, United Kingdom

### Theatrical

It had its commercial premiere on July 7, 2022, in Argentine theaters and on March 9, 2023, in Mexican theaters.

## Reception
### Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10.
Milagros Amondaray from La Nación called it a denouncement film, but with touches of magical realism and impenetrable sequences that invite you to look even if you want to look the other way. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian highlights the handling of the camera in film photography, making audiences more vulnerable to moments of shock or high impact. On the other hand, Valerie Complex from Deadline Hollywood criticizes the cinematography of the film, calling it irritating that tests patience, and although he recognizes its purpose, but the constant repetition of this element prevents an interpersonal interaction with the audience, the same goes for the type of lighting used and the editing, although It also highlights the existence of beautifully framed shots and the acting quality of all the actors, managing to capture a hopeless passage.

### Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2022 | Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Bear | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | Berlin International Film Festival | Silver Bear Jury Prize | Natalia López | Won |
| 2022 | Jerusalem Film Festival | Best International Debut | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | Motovun Film Festival | Best Film | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | San Sebastián International Film Festival | Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Award | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | BFI London Film Festival | First Feature Competition | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | Nashville Film Festival | Best New Directors Feature | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tacoma Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | Sarajevo Film Festival | Special Award for the Promotion of Gender Equality | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | São Paulo International Film Festival | Best Film | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | Morelia International Film Festival | Best Mexican Feature Film | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2022 | Morelia International Film Festival | Best Director | Natalia López | Won |
| 2022 | Melbourne International Film Festival | Bright Horizons Award | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2023 | Diosas de Plata | Best First Work | Natalia López | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ariel Awards | Best First Work | Robe of Gems | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ariel Awards | Best Sound | Thomas Becka, Carlos Cortés, Raúl Locatelli & Victor Tendler | Nominated |