The apex of the ocean’s pyramid of predators, the mystic and misunderstood animal is most renowned for its powerful bite. Sundance preemed The Sharks (Los tiburones) introduces us to a new voice in Uruguay cinema where the female gaze takes inventory of ownership (and sabotage) of a burgeoning sexuality via precarious Rosina (Romina Bentancur), who much like the locals’ rooted fear, has predatory instincts of her own.

Set in a beach resort type of town, Lucía Garibaldi prescribes a down to earth poeticism and strong hint for mischievousness in this coming-of-age film that reminds of the cinema we find in Hansen-Løve, Martel and Sciamma. I asked the filmmaker (who was joined by her lead) about her process, the location, her main character and the synth embedded score.