Postcards from Leningrad


Postcards from Leningrad, Spanish title: Postales de Leningrado) is a 2007 Venezuelan film, written and directed by Mariana Rondón. It is a drama about children growing up among guerrilla groups in the 1960s in Venezuela. It was Venezuela's official entry for the Submissions for the 80th [Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film] of the 80th Academy Awards.

Plot

During the leftist uprising in the 1960s in Venezuela, a young guerrilla-girl, living in secrecy, gives birth to her first daughter during Mother's Day. Due to that, her photos appear on the newspaper, since that moment they would have to run away.
Hidden places, false disguises and names are the daily life of The Girl, the narrator of the story. Alongside her cousin, they re-live the adventures of their guerrilla parents, building up a labyrinth with superheroes and strategies, in which nobody knows where the reality begins. However, this children's game does not hide the deaths, tortures, denunciations and treason within the guerrillas.
The kids want to convert themselves into The Invisible Man, in order to escape from the danger. However, they know that their parents might never comeback and therefore, they'll only receive Postcards from Leningrad.

Cast

  • Laureano Olivares as Teo
  • Greisy Mena as Marcela/Clara/Mercedes
  • William Cifuentes as Teo
  • Haydee Faverola as Grandmother
  • María Fernanda Ferro as Marta
  • Ignacio Marquez as Tio Miguel
  • Oswaldo Hidalgo as Grandfather
  • Claudia Usubillaga as The Girl

Awards and honors