The Muleteer
| The Muleteer | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Isabel Cristina Fregoso |
| Written by | Isabel Cristina Fregoso |
| Produced by | Edher Campos Regina Vergara Perezcastro[1] |
| Starring | Andrea Aldama Ale Cosío Luis Vegas |
| Cinematography | María Sarasvati Herrera |
| Edited by | Martha Uc |
| Music by | Carlos Vértiz Héctor Ruiz |
Production companies | Film Commission of the State of Jalisco Machete |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | Mexico |
| Language | Spanish |
The Muleteer (Spanish: La arriera) is a 2024 Mexican coming-of-age adventure drama film co-written and directed by Isabel Cristina Fregoso.[2] It stars Andrea Aldama, Ale Cosío and Luis Vegas.[3] It follows a teenage girl who embarks on a journey dressed as a muleteer to find her father and discover his identity.[4]
Synopsis
In 1935, in the Sierra Occidental of Jalisco, Emilia falls in love with her cousin Caro. This, coupled with her impetuous personality and her desire to find her father, leads her to seek a different destiny than the one awaiting her on the ranch where she grew up. Dressed as a muleteer, she begins a journey in which she manages to find herself, her father, and a place to love freely.[5]
Cast
- Andrea Aldama as Emilia
- Ale Cosío as Caro
- Luis Vegas as Martín
- Baltimore Beltrán as Anselmo
- Damayanti Quintanar as Nicolás
- Sasha González as María
- Christian Ramos as Jesús
- Mayra Batalla as Inés
- Pascacio López as Pancho
- Waldo Facco as Secondary
Production
Principal photography lasted six weeks on location in Mascota, La Estancia, San Sebastián del Oeste, El Grullo, and Pascualitos Beach.[6]
Release
The Muleteer had its world premiere on June 13, 2024, at the 39th Guadalajara International Film Festival,[7] then was screened on October 25, 2025, at the 26th OUTshine Film Festival,[8] on November 6, 2024, at the 18th Portland Latin American Film Festival,[9] on February 8, 2025, at the Reelout Queer Film Festival,[10] on March 21, 2025, at the BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival,[11] and on June 19, 2025, at the 29th MIX Mexico Festival.[12]
The film was released commercially on June 19, 2025, in Mexican theaters.[13]
Accolades
| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39th Guadalajara International Film Festival | Mezcal Award - Best Film | The Muleteer | Nominated | [14][15] |
| Best Directing | Isabel Cristina Fregoso | Won | |||
| Best Cinematography | María Sarasvati Herrera | Won | |||
| Maguey Award | The Muleteer | Nominated | |||
| Hecho en Jalisco Award | Nominated | ||||
| 27th Guanajuato International Film Festival | Best Mexican Fiction Feature Film | Nominated | [16][17] | ||
| 2025 | 67th Ariel Awards | Best Breakthrough Performance | Ale Cosío | Pending | [18] |
| Best Cinematography | María Sarasvati Herrera | Pending | |||
| Best Costume Design | Lupita Peckinpah | Pending |
References
- ^ "'La Arriera' impulsa el cine LGBTI mexicano durante el mes del Orgullo". Telemundo (in Spanish). 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Apanco, Edgar (2025-06-19). "La arriera, el estreno mexicano del mes del orgullo". Paloma & Nacho (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Tirado, Mónica (2025-06-25). "Luis Vegas nos habla de los retos que enfrentó en 'La Arriera', película que ha marcado su debut en cine". ¡HOLA! (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Galván, Melissa (2025-06-17). "La Arriera: película filmada en Jalisco que desafía roles de género". Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Alonso, Diana. "La arriera conquista festivales y recibe tres nominaciones al Ariel 2025". ITESO (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Salcedo, Fausto (2025-06-18). "'La Arriera', una travesía queer por la sierra de Jalisco". El Informador (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "La arriera: Una historia de aventura, despertar sexual e identidad, dirigido por Isabel Cristina Fregoso". Fideicomiso para la Promoción y Desarrollo del Cine Mexicano en el Distrito Federal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "OUTshine Film Festival - The Muleteer (La Arriera)". OUTshine Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Jankowski, Andrew; Rester, Daniel (2024-10-08). "18th Annual Portland Latin American Film Festival Brings Movies From All Corners of the Globe". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "Closing Selection: The Muleteer (La Arriera)". Reelout. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "The Muleteer". BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival.
- ^ "«La Arriera» inaugurará la 29ª edición del Festival MIX México – Cine, Diversidad Sexual y de Género, el evento de cine LGBTQ+ más importante de Hispanoamérica". Hoja de Ruta Digital (in Spanish). 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Camarillo, Abigail (2025-06-19). "Llega a cines "La Arriera", un viaje íntimo y poderoso que desafía roles de género". Animal Politico. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "'La arriera' de Isabel Cristina Fregoso: por los senderos ocultos de Jalisco". IMCINE. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Esparza, Kike (June 15, 2024). "Conoce la lista de ganadores del FICG 39". Informador. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "27° Festival Internacional de Cine Guanajuato: Humano". IMCINE. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Torres, Irving (2024-08-16). "GIFF 2024: Noche de Clausura y Ganadores". cineNT (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "La Academia Mexicana de Cine rectifica las nominaciones de los 67 Premios Ariel tras las protestas del sector audiovisual". Kinótico. 13 July 2025.
External links
- The Muleteer at IMDb