Colombian-American photographer and video director Stillz, known for working with artists like Bad Bunny and Rosalía, is preparing to present his first feature film to audiences. The newly released trailer for Barrio Triste reveals that the film will premiere in theaters in July.
Produced under the EDGLRD banner, the film is the first project to open the door to a new name after productions directed by the company’s founder Harmony Korine. Distributed by Film Movement, the film also stands out with music composed by Arca.
The Story of Youth in 1980s Medellín
Barrio Triste is set in Medellín, Colombia during the 1980s and focuses on the daily lives of a group of young people living in one of the city’s impoverished neighborhoods. The film combines a coming-of-age story with a found footage style.
At the center of the film are youths living in a troubled neighborhood who steal a television reporter’s camera. Through this camera, they begin documenting their own lives.
As the story progresses, an atmosphere develops where the characters’ perceptions of reality and hope become distorted. The film builds a dark tension through mysterious lights falling from the sky and strange phenomena that disrupt the sense of time and place.
From Festival Screenings to Theatrical Release
Barrio Triste had its premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. It was later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival the same year, receiving mixed reviews from critics.
The film’s journey to the cinema highlights Stillz’s transition from music videos to feature filmmaking. With the trailer’s release, the film has once again become a topic of discussion among the year’s notable independent productions.
Barrio Triste will be released in theaters on Friday, July 10.