Mexican Filmmaker Axel Bertha Debuts Haunting Psychological Drama at Karlovy Vary

Mexican filmmaker Axel Bertha is turning heads on the international festival circuit with his debut feature, ‘Against Nature’ (‘Contra la Naturaleza’), which will have its world premiere at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. An exclusive new trailer offers a chilling preview of a film that blurs the boundary between the physical and spiritual while exploring humanity’s darkest impulses.

The 88-minute film centers on Jonás, a reserved man who returns to his rural hometown after years away to work as a stonemason. As he reconnects with the unforgiving countryside, he finds himself pulled toward an invisible presence that seems embedded in the landscape, the people around him, and the very passage of time.

Rather than following a traditional narrative path, ‘Against Nature’ opts for an atmospheric style rooted in striking imagery, rich sound design, and layered symbolism. The trailer suggests a deeply unsettling experience where silence often carries more weight than words, prompting viewers to grapple with the film’s mysterious exploration of nature, spirituality, and violence.

Bertha’s debut probes “the dark side of humanity” through an enigmatic protagonist whose relationship with the sacred becomes entangled with cycles of cruelty and destruction, according to the festival’s official description. It examines how violence can take root in both people and the places they inhabit, creating a poignant reflection on what it means to be human.

The film boasts cinematography by Flavia Martínez and Edson Reyes, editing by Óscar Enríquez, and a unique score from Colombian electronic artist Ela Minus and Ariel Guzik. Sound designer Andrés Silva contributes crucially to the film’s immersive quality, which is already apparent in the newly released trailer.

Backed by production companies Domme Cinema and Cárcava Cine, along with support from Lovesong and The Lift, the film is competing in the festival’s Proxima Competition section, which champions innovative work from emerging filmmakers worldwide.

Early reactions to the trailer have praised its hypnotic visuals and minimalist approach, marking Bertha as a filmmaker worth keeping an eye on at Karlovy Vary this year. As the festival approaches, ‘Against Nature’ looks set to deliver a thought-provoking arthouse experience that will leave audiences questioning faith, violence, and the darkness inherent in human nature.