The First Night

A story of hidden passion set in a Colombia drained by war, violence and ignorance. Two people, Paulina and To?o, like many others before them, flee from the countryside into the cities where they are not wanted and are considered invisible. With them they bring repressed, secret passions. Paulina's husband Wilson has abandoned her, while Wilson's brother To?o has secretly loved her all along and wants to help. Paulina, with a disturbing mix of innocence and sensuality, has two children to care for, difficult in the rough streets of the city. The only friendly face in the city is that of El Indio, a street-smart survivor who tries to help the newcomers. Between brutality in the countryside and betrayal in the city, Paulina and To?o face immense challenges. The director says this film began with a vision: “One night in the city, I saw a young woman folding newspapers on the street, getting ready to put her infant son to bed. Her gestures were so fluid and sure, while full of abandonment, that for a long time I couldn't forget what I'd seen.” (In Spanish with English subtitles)