The Altar Boy, the Priest and the Gardener
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Juan Manuel Fernández
Josué Alvarado Quirós
| The Altar Boy, the Priest and the Gardener | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Juan Manuel Fernández |
| Written by | Juan Manuel Fernández |
| Produced by | Karina Blanco Juan Manuel Fernández |
| Starring | Anthony Venegas Abarca Josué Alvarado Quirós |
| Cinematography | Juan Manuel Fernández Laura Ángel |
| Edited by | Juan Manuel Fernández Nitay Jiménez Medhin Tewolde |
| Music by | Walter Briceño |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Language | Spanish |
The Altar Boy, the Priest and the Gardener (Spanish: El monaguillo, el cura y el jardinero) is a 2025 Costa Rican documentary film written, co-produced, co-filmed, co-edited and directed by Juan Manuel Fernández.[1] It follows the testimonies and search for justice of two men who were sexually abused as children by the priest Mauricio Víquez Lizano.[2]
It was selected as the Costa Rican entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[3]
Two men have reported the sexual abuse they suffered during their childhood at the hands of Mauricio Víquez Lizano, a Catholic priest. This incident sparked an international investigation, marked by the priest's escape and the complainants' tireless fight for justice.[4]
Narrator
- Anthony Venegas Abarca
- Josué Alvarado Quirós
Production
Release
Accolades
| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13th Costa Rica International Film Festival | Best Costa Rican Feature Film | The Altar Boy, the Priest and the Gardener | Won | [10] |