Mamacruz

The plot concerns the rediscovery of an old woman's long-forgotten sexuality and desire.^[2]

Initially developed by Ortega in her native Venezuela, the project did not manage to persuade potential co-producers to work in the country.^[4] Upon a meeting of Ortega with Olmo Figueredo at 2019 Rome's MIA Market, the project eventually moved across the Atlantic to Spain.^[5][4] The screenplay was penned by Ortega alongside José Ortuño, who helped to adapt the script to a "Sevillian idiosyncrasy".^[5][4]

A Spanish-Venezuelan co-production, the film was produced by La Claqueta PC, Mamacruz AIE, and Pecado Films alongside Mandrágora Films, with the participation of Canal Sur Radio y Televisión, support from ICAA, and help from A.A.II.CC [es].^[6][2] Shooting locations included Seville.^[4]

Selected for the 'World Cinema Dramatic Competition' slate, Mamacruz premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on 20 January 2023.^[7][8] Filmax swooped on international rights to the film in advance of its world premiere.^[2] It also made it to an out-of-competition slot of the official selection of the 68th Valladolid International Film Festival for its European premiere.^[9] It opened in Spanish theatres on 27 October 2023.^[10]

According to the American review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, Mamacruz has a 100% approval rating based on 19 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 7.9/10.^[11]

Jonathan Holland of ScreenDaily assessed that "the veteran Manver delivers a masterclass in nuance as a quietly-spoken, humble and repressed woman undergoing a violent inner transformation".^[3]

Jacob Oller of Paste deemed Mamacruz to be "a vibrant and lovely character study", that "makes the most of its horny matriarch".^[12]

Laurence Boyce of Cineuropa deemed the film to be a "personal and affecting piece of work that is both an achingly human portrait of a woman exploring her desires in her later years and a celebration of female sexuality".^[13]

• List of Spanish films of 2023