Annual Top Films Lists

Top 150 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2019: #146. I’m No Longer Here – Fernando Frias

Published on January 1, 2019

I’m No Longer Here

Mexico City’s Fernando Frias has completed his sophomore feature Ya no estoy aqui (I’m No Longer Here), which was part of the 2014 Sundance Screenwriters Lab. Produced by Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann of Panorama Global and Gerry Kim of PPW Films, Frias tapped DP Damian Garcia (of Jonas Cuaron’s Desierto and Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Berlin success Museo) to lens the feature. Frias also reteams with his Rezeta (2012) editor Yibran Asuad, who has edited features for Ruizpalacios and Gerardo Naranjo. Frias’ cast includes newcomers and nonprofessionals. Frias’ 2012 debut Rezeta premiered at the 2012 Morelia Film Festival and took home the award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival.

Gist: I’m No Longer Here centers on 17-year-old Ulises Sampiero, forced to to migrate to the US following a misunderstanding with a local cartel. The narrative swings back and forth from his time with the gang “Los Terkos,” defined by their passion for dance, extravagant style, to the present, where he is forced to navigate the alienation and loneliness of living as an immigrant in Queens.

Release Date/Prediction: I’m No Longer Here screened as a work-in-progress at the 2018 Los Cabos Film Festival, where it picked up an award, and while not ready in time for the 1st quarter film festival screenings, the Cinereach project should put Frias in contention of a berth at Cannes Critics’ Week.

Nicholas Bell

Los Angeles based Nicholas Bell is IONCINEMA.com's Chief Film Critic and covers film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, Cannes and TIFF. He is part of the critic groups on Rotten Tomatoes, The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) and GALECA. His top 3 for 2021: France (Bruno Dumont), Passing (Rebecca Hall) and Nightmare Alley (Guillermo Del Toro). He was a jury member at the 2019 Cleveland International Film Festival.