‘Clara Sola - Nathalie Álvarez Mesén’

Clara is believed to have a special connection to God. As a ‘healer’, she sustains a family and a village in need of hope, while she finds solace in her relationship with the natural world. After years of being controlled by her mother’s repressive care, Clara’s sexual desires are stirred by her attraction to her niece’s new boyfriend. This newly awakened force takes Clara to unexplored territory, allowing her to cross boundaries, both physical and mystical. Empowered by her self-discovery, Clara gradually frees herself from her role as ‘saint’ and begins to heal herself.

Nathalie Álvarez Mesén is a Costa Rican-Swedish screenwriter/director. Her debut feature film Clara Sola premiered in Cannes 2021 in the Director’s Fortnight section. She started her career in physical theatre in Costa Rica. She later graduated from Columbia University's Graduate Film Program in NYC with an M.F.A. in Film Directing/Screenwriting. Nathalie also co-wrote Entre tú y Milagros, winner of the Orizzonti Award for Best Short in the Venice Film Festival 2020.