The Ones from Below

The Ones from Below (Spanish: Los de abajo) is a 2022 Western drama film written, directed and co-produced by Alejandro Quiroga in his directorial debut. It is about a man's journey to recover his town's water that is being diverted by the authorities as part of a plot. Starring Fernando Arze Echalar. It is a co-production between Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina.

The Ones from Below had its world premiere at the 37th Mar del Plata International Film Festival on November 7, 2022, where it competed for the Astor Piazzolla Award for Best Feature Film and won Best Performance for Sonia Parada.

Synopsis
Gregorio is a peasant who lives frustrated in his town Rosillas, because the waters of the old ditch were diverted by Colonel Iglesias, a neighboring Argentine landowner, allied in a plot with the mayor of the town for his vine crops. This man will have to overcome neglect, corruption and the power of the elite to bring back the water.

Cast
The actors participating in this film are:


 * Fernando Arze Echalar as Gregorio
 * César Bordón as Colonel Iglesias
 * Luis Bredow as Arnildo
 * Sonia Parada as Paula

Production
Principal photography lasted for 5 weeks starting in early August and ending on September 9, 2019. It was filmed on location in Rosillas, the Concepción Valley, Santa Ana, Padcaya and the urban area of Tarija.

Release
The Ones from Below had its world premiere on November 7, 2022, at the 37th Mar del Plata International Film Festival. It was commercially released on June 1, 2023, in Bolivian theaters.