Beloved Tropic


Beloved Tropic is a 2024 drama film co-written and directed by Ana Endara. Starring Paulina García and Jenny Navarrete, it follows the relationship between an upper-class woman with dementia and her immigrant caregiver.
The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on 7 September. It was theatrically released in Panama and Colombia on 7 August 2025. It was also selected as the List of Panamanian submissions for the Academy Award for [Best International Feature Film|Panamanian entry] for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.

Synopsis

Mercedes is an upper-class Panamanian woman, a business owner who has raised her four adult children alone. After surgery, Mercedes is facing the onset of dementia. Ana María, a Colombian immigrant who works as a caregiver and is hiding a secret, will be tasked with caring for Mercedes. As time passes, a bond develops between the two women that will help each other in their lives.

Cast

  • Paulina García as Mercedes
  • Jenny Navarrette as Ana María
  • Juliette Roy as Jimena
  • Syddia Ospina as Cristina

    Production

began in mid-July 2023.

Release

Beloved Tropic had its world premiere on September 7, 2024, at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival, then screened on September 20, 2024, at the 72nd San Sebastian International Film Festival, on October 4, 2024, at the 26th Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, and on October 19, 2024, at the 19th Rome Film Festival, on January 28, 2025, at the 48th Gothenburg Film Festival, on April 2, 2025, at the 64th Cartagena Film Festival, on April 3, 2025, at the 13th Panama International Film Festival, on April 11, 2025, at the 49th [Hong Kong International Film Festival], on April 19, 2025, at the 68th San Francisco International Film Festival, and on June 26, 2025, at the 13th Costa Rica International Film Festival.
The film was commercially released on August 7, 2025, in Colombian theaters, and on September 18, 2025, in Panamanian theaters.
The film will compete in the Awards Buzz – Best International Feature Film section of the 37th [Palm Springs International Film Festival] on 4 January 2026.

Accolades