# Powder (2019 film)

Powder (Spanish: Polvo) is a 2019 Mexican crime comedy-drama film directed and starred by José María Yazpik (in his directorial debut) and written by Yazpik & Alejandro Ricaño. In supporting roles are Mariana Treviño, Adrián Vázquez, Carlos Valencia, Guillermo Nava, Irineo Álvarez, Manuel Poncelis, Angélica Aragón, Jesús Ochoa, Joaquín Cosío and Carlos Olalla.

## Synopsis

In 1972, El Chato left his hometown in San Ignacio to pursue the American dream; 10 years later he returns with the aim of recovering cocaine belonging to the Tijuana mafia that accidentally fell in his hometown. He will have to get the packages while maintaining peace in the town, although he will also have the opportunity to resume his old life.

## Cast

The actors participating in this film are:
* José María Yazpik as El Chato
* Mariana Treviño as Jacinta
* Adrián Vázquez as Toto
* Carlos Valencia as Fisher
* Guillermo Nava as Chuy
* Irineo Álvarez as Tano
* Manuel Poncelis as Facundo
* Angélica Aragón as Doña Mary
* Jesús Ochoa as Doctor
* Joaquín Cosío as Don Manuel
* Carlos Olalla as Leovigildo
* Giovani Florido as Pancho
* Franciso Javier López Lucero as Totito
* Wendolee Ayala as Juanita
* Laura Ofelia Reyes Marín as "La Tibu"
* Emiliano Fong as Don Chema
* J. Eduardo Murillo Aguilar as Bully boy
* Carmen Vera as "La Lupana"
* Judith Álvarez Juárez as Mimí

## Production

Principal photography began on September 3, 2018, in San Ignacio, Baja California, also with locations in Tijuana.

## Release

Powder had its world premiere on October 20, 2019, at the 17th Morelia International Film Festival. It was commercially released on November 8, 2019, in Mexican theaters.

## Reception
### Critical reception

Mabel Salinas from Cine Premiere gave a positive review, highlighting the acting of José María Yazpik, Mariana Treviño, Jesús Ochoa and Adrián Vázquez. She further praised Tonatiuh Martínez's photography, and liked the film despite feeling as though the pacing and story were lacking. Jesús Chavarría from the newspaper La Razon concluded that this production is a simple comedy, perhaps not very risky, but that manages to be consistent in its humor and, above all, funny, creating its own identity.

### Accolades

| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2019 | Morelia International Film Festival | Best Actress in a Mexican Feature Film | Mariana Treviño | Won |
| 2019 | Canacine Awards | Best Film | José María Yazpik | Nominated |
| 2019 | Canacine Awards | Best Director | José María Yazpik | Nominated |
| 2019 | Canacine Awards | Best Actor | José María Yazpik | Won |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Picture | José María Yazpik | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Director | José María Yazpik | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best First Work | José María Yazpik | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Original Screenplay | José María Yazpik & Alejandro Ricaño | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Actor | José María Yazpik | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Actress | Mariana Treviño | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Adrián Vázquez | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Cinematography | Tonatiuh Martínez | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Editing | Miguel Schverdfinger | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Art Direction | Bárbara Enriquez & Carmen Guerrero | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ariel Awards | Best Costume Design | Adela Cortázar | Nominated |