Set in Lima, just before the fall of Peru’s President Alberto Fujimori in 2000, BLACK BUTTERFLY is a taut & thrilling character study tracing a demure schoolteacher and a journalist who are brought together by a politically motivated tragedy.

Gabriela (Urbina), a young and conventional teacher, has high expectations for her upcoming marriage. But her life is thrown into chaos when her fiancé Guido (Dario Abad), a young and prominent judge is suddenly killed. A spurious newspaper article regarding the circumstances of his death – at a homosexual orgy – spurs Gabriela to investigate. She meets Angela (impressive newcomer Magdyel Ugaz), a disillusioned tabloid journalist. From Angela’s eyes and voice, as an involuntary narrator, Gabriela steps into the dark world of power and her skepticism is shattered.

Based on a novel by Alonso Cueto, Peruvian auteur Francisco Lombardi whips up a palpable spell of urgency and dread in this dark tale of revenge and corruption, ratcheting up the emotional tension and intrigue to create a wholly gripping, and satisfying film experience.

Drama/Thriller Spain-Perú 2007, 115 min (18+)
Directed by Francisco Lombardi
With Melania Urbina, Magdyel Ugaz and Ivonne Fraysinett

Rating: 18+