Argentina’s entry for the Oscars 2027: Based on the short-story collection “The Dangers of Smoking in Bed” by Argentinian horror author Mariana Enriquez, THE VIRGIN OF THE QUARRY LAKE assembles a world composed of psychological abysses and magical elements. The plot revolves around teenaged Natalia and her girlfriends, every last one of whom ends up falling head over heels in love with the go-getter Diego in the midst of a very hot summer. Alas, the object of their attention begins to flirt with the more mature Silvia.

Reinforced by various motifs drawn from Enriquez, the film, set against the backdrop of the social tensions prevalent in 2001, tells a tale of poverty, neglect and marginalization, of young women’s insecurities regarding their own bodies, social roles and sex, and of the mysterious and violent undercurrents that seem to issue forth from the very core of Argentinian society.

Laura Casabé is an Argentinian filmmaker who has become one of Latin America’s most prominent voices in contemporary fantastic cinema.

Filmography (selection): 2010 EL HADA BUENA – UNA FÁBULA PERONISTA, 2019 THE RETURNED, 2025 THE VIRGIN OF THE QUARRY LAKE

Awards: Award for Best Argentine Film and for Best Sound Design (Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema, Argentina 2025), Award for Best Cinematography (Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, Spain 2025)