# Sujo

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2024 Mexican film

For the similarly-pronounced city in China, see [Suzhou](/source/Suzhou).

Sujo Theatrical release poster Directed by Astrid Rondero Fernanda Valadez Written by Astrid Rondero Fernanda Valadez Produced by Astrid Rondero Fernanda Valadez Diana Arcega Jewerl Keats Ross Virginie Devesa Jean-Baptiste Bailly-Maitre Cinematography Ximena Amann Edited by Astrid Rondero Fernanda Valadez Susan Korda Music by Astrid Rondero Production company Alpha Violet [1] Distributed by Damned Distribution (FR) The Forge (US) BEAM Films (UK) Release dates January 19, 2024 (2024-01-19) (Sundance) August 21, 2024 (2024-08-21) (France) November 29, 2024 (2024-11-29) (United States) December 5, 2024 (2024-12-05) (Mexico) Running time 126 minutes[2] Countries Mexico United States France Language Spanish

***Sujo*** is a 2024 [coming-of-age](/source/Coming-of-age_story) [crime drama film](/source/Crime_drama_film) written and directed by [Astrid Rondero](/source/Astrid_Rondero) and [Fernanda Valadez](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fernanda_Valadez&action=edit&redlink=1) [[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernanda_Valadez)], it stars Juan Jesús Varela.[3]

The film had its world premiere at the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section of the [2024 Sundance Film Festival](/source/2024_Sundance_Film_Festival), where it won the Grand Jury Prize.[4] It was selected as the Mexican entry for [Best International Feature Film](/source/Academy_Award_for_Best_International_Feature_Film) at the [97th Academy Awards](/source/97th_Academy_Awards), but was not nominated.

## Plot

Josué, a [sicario](/source/Sicarios) for the cartel, is assassinated, leaving his 4-year-old son Sujo behind. Sujo's aunts, Nemesia and Rosalía, take him to be raised in a remote mountain shack. Sujo spends his childhood in isolation, with only his aunts and Rosalía's sons, Jai and Jeremy.

As the boys grow older, Sujo and his peers rebel and become involved with the drug violence around them. During a turf war, Jeremy is killed, and Sujo's aunt Nemesia sends him off to live in [Mexico City](/source/Mexico_City).

## Release

The film debuted at the [2024 Sundance Film Festival](/source/2024_Sundance_Film_Festival)[5] on January 19, 2024. Its festival run also includes screenings at the [72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival](/source/72nd_San_Sebasti%C3%A1n_International_Film_Festival) ('Horizontes Latinos' strand) and the [2024 BFI London Film Festival](/source/2024_BFI_London_Film_Festival).[6][7]

Damned Distribution set an August 21, 2024 theatrical release date in France.[8] The Forge acquired North-American distribution and set a November 29, 2024 theatrical release date in Canada and the United States.[6] Beam Films acquired distribution films in the United Kingdom.[7]

## Reception

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) below (*[Rotten Tomatoes prose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Rotten_Tomatoes_prose)*) is being considered for deletion. See [templates for discussion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_18#Rotten_Tomatoes_and_Metacritic_film_prose) to help reach a consensus. ›

On the [review aggregator](/source/Review_aggregator) website [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes), 97% of 29 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "A consistently gripping coming-of-age story, *Sujo* reaffirms Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez as two of the most exciting rising talents in Mexican cinema."[9]

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) below (*[Metacritic film prose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Metacritic_film_prose)*) is being considered for deletion. See [templates for discussion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_18#Rotten_Tomatoes_and_Metacritic_film_prose) to help reach a consensus. ›

[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), which uses a [weighted average](/source/Weighted_arithmetic_mean), assigned the film a score of 80 out of 100, based on six critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[10] Reviewing for *[IndieWire](/source/IndieWire)*, Carlos Aguilar graded the film an 'A', citing the film as "intricate in meaning and scope."[11]

In September 2024, the [Academia Mexicana de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas](/source/Academia_Mexicana_de_Artes_y_Ciencias_Cinematogr%C3%A1ficas) chose the film as Mexico's submission for the [Goya Award for Best Ibero-American Film](/source/Goya_Award_for_Best_Ibero-American_Film) and for the [Academy Award for Best International Film](/source/Academy_Award_for_Best_International_Film).[12]

### Awards and nominations

Award Ceremony date Category Recipient(s) Result Ref. Sundance Film Festival January 26, 2024 World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic Sujo Won [13][14] San Sebastián International Film Festival September 28, 2024 Latin Horizons Nominated [15] Spanish Cooperation Award Won [16] Palm Springs International Film Festival January 12, 2025 Ibero-American Award Won [17]

## See also

- [List of Mexican films of 2024](/source/List_of_Mexican_films_of_2024)

- [List of French films of 2024](/source/List_of_French_films_of_2024)

- [List of Mexican submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film](/source/List_of_Mexican_submissions_for_the_Academy_Award_for_Best_International_Feature_Film)

- [List of submissions to the 97th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film](/source/List_of_submissions_to_the_97th_Academy_Awards_for_Best_International_Feature_Film)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Jones, Holly (January 18, 2024). ["UTA Snaps Up Domestic Sales for Buzzy Mexican Sundance Title 'Sujo,' 'Identifying Features' Creators' Unconventional Narco Narrative (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2024/film/global/uta-alpha-violet-astrid-rondero-fernanda-valadez-1235876247/). *Variety*. Retrieved January 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Soju"](https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/656a02eefac9f47fe6c043a4). *[Sundance Film Festival](/source/Sundance_Film_Festival)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180752/https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/656a011cfac9f4dcafc03ff6) from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Program Guide | 2024 Sundance Film Festival"](https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/656a02eefac9f47fe6c043a4). *festival.sundance.org*. Retrieved January 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Economou, Vassilis (June 18, 2024). ["Filmfest München unveils its full programme"](https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/463720/). Cineuropa. Retrieved August 8, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Delgado, Eliza (January 21, 2024). ["'Sujo': Growing Up in Drug Wars - The Daily Utah Chronicle"](https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2024/01/21/sujo-sundance-2024/). Retrieved January 27, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-kay_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-kay_6-1) Kay, Jeremy (September 6, 2024). ["The Forge lands North American rights to Sundance prize-winner 'Sujo', plans awards run (exclusive)"](https://www.screendaily.com/news/the-forge-lands-north-american-rights-to-sundance-prize-winner-sujo-plans-awards-run-exclusive/5196986.article). *[ScreenDaily](/source/ScreenDaily)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tabbara_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tabbara_7-1) Tabbara, Mona (September 10, 2024). ["Sundance winner 'Sujo' picked up for UK by new distribution outfit Beam Films (exclusive)"](https://www.screendaily.com/news/sundance-winner-sujo-picked-up-for-uk-by-new-distribution-outfit-beam-films-exclusive/5196908.article). *[ScreenDaily](/source/ScreenDaily)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Lépine, Cédric (August 13, 2024). ["Entretien avec Astrid Rondero, coréalisatrice du film "Hijo de sicario" (Sujo)"](https://blogs.mediapart.fr/edition/cinemas-damerique-latine-et-plus-encore/article/130824/entretien-avec-astrid-rondero-corealisatrice-du-film-hijo-de). *[Mediapart](/source/Mediapart)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rotten_Tomatoes_9-0)** ["*Sujo*"](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sujo). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. [Fandango Media](/source/Fandango_Media). Retrieved July 17, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Metacritic_10-0)** ["*Sujo*"](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/sujo). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Fandom, Inc.](/source/Fandom_(website)#Fandom,_Inc.) Retrieved March 17, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Aguilar, Carlos (January 19, 2024). ["'Sujo' Review: A Darkly Lyrical Portrait of the Systems That Force Mexican Men Into the Drug Wars"](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/sujo-review-1234946017/). *IndieWire*. Retrieved January 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["'Sujo', Astrid Rondero y Fernanda Valadez, representará a México en los Oscar y Goya"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240925095232/https://www.cronica.com.mx/escenario/sujo-astrid-rondero-fernanda-valadez-representara-mexico-oscar-goya.html). *[La Crónica de Hoy](/source/La_Cr%C3%B3nica_de_Hoy)*. September 23, 2024. Archived from [the original](https://www.cronica.com.mx/escenario/sujo-astrid-rondero-fernanda-valadez-representara-mexico-oscar-goya.html) on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Rodríguez, Andrés (January 26, 2024). ["'Sujo' de las mexicanas Astrid Rondero y Fernanda Valadez, gana el premio a mejor película internacional en Sundance"](https://elpais.com/mexico/2024-01-26/sujo-de-las-mexicanas-astrid-rondero-y-fernanda-valadez-gana-el-premio-a-mejor-pelicula-internacional-en-sundance.html). *[El País](/source/El_Pa%C3%ADs)*. Retrieved October 6, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["The Complete List of 2024 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners"](https://festival.sundance.org/blogs/the-complete-list-of-2024-sundance-film-festival-award-winners/). *Sundance Film Festival*. January 26, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tfe_15-0)** Taylor, Nick. ["San Sebastián Announces Their Competition Slate!"](http://thefilmexperience.net/blog/2024/7/31/san-sebastian-announces-their-competition-slate.html). *The Film Experience*. Retrieved August 21, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-parallel_awards_16-0)** ["Todos los ganadores del Festival de San Sebastián 2024"](https://www.escribiendocine.com/noticias/2024/09/28/18445-todos-los-ganadores-del-festival-de-san-sebastian-2024). *Escribiendo Cine*. September 28, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["'I'm Still Here' Takes Top Honor at Palm Springs International Film Festival"](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/palm-springs-international-film-festival-winners-list-im-still-here-1236272337/). January 12, 2025.

## External links

- [*Sujo*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30320410/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e Mexican submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film Bullfighter!! (1957) Nazarín (1959) Macario (1960) The Important Man (1961) Tlayucan (1962) The Paper Man (1963) Always Further On (1965) Black Wind (1966) The Adolescents (1967) The Mole (1971) Reed: Insurgent Mexico (1973) Calzonzin Inspector (1974) Letters from Marusia (1975) Length of War (1976) Holy Pafnucio (1977) The Place Without Limits (1978) Mojado Power (1981) Eréndira (1983) Frida Still Life (1985) The Realm of Fortune (1986) Life Is Most Important (1987) The Last Tunnel (1988) Cow's Head (1990) Homework (1991) Like Water for Chocolate (1992) Cronos (1993) The Beginning and the End (1994) Midaq Alley (1995) Between Pancho Villa and a Naked Woman (1996) Deep Crimson (1997) A Magic Spell (1998) No One Writes to the Colonel (1999) Love's a Bitch (2000) Violet Perfume: No One Is Listening (2001) The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002) Aro Tolbukhin: In the Mind of a Killer (2003) Voces inocentes (2004) Al otro lado (2005) Pan's Labyrinth (2006) Silent Light (2007) Tear This Heart Out (2008) Backyard (2009) Biutiful (2010) Miss Bala (2011) After Lucia (2012) Heli (2013) Cantinflas (2014) 600 Miles (2015) Desierto (2016) Tempestad (2017) Roma (2018) The Chambermaid (2019) I'm No Longer Here (2020) Prayers for the Stolen (2021) Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (2022) Tótem (2023) Sujo (2024) We Shall Not Be Moved (2025)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sujo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sujo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sujo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.