Anhell69 revolves around the charismatic 21-year-old Camilo Najar, chosen for the lead role in a film of the same name by director Theo Montoya. However, tragedy strikes as Camilo succumbs to an overdose just a week after the casting, echoing the fate of many others in their circle. Drawing from his earlier work, such as the short film "Son of Sodom" (2020) starring Camilo, Montoya paints a bleak picture of a generation engulfed by drug abuse and despair against the backdrop of a city defined by violence.
Grappling with profound grief and existential emptiness, Montoya courageously wields his camera once more. Inspired by Victor Gaviria, he crafts a transcendent film that defies conventional boundaries, capturing the essence of a community marginalized by society—a "trans film" that speaks to those who feel they belong nowhere.
Anhell69 has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Golden Dove at DOK Leipzig and an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival. Critics praise Montoya's compassionate approach amidst the darkness, creating a mesmerizing portrait imbued with magical realism. It's a defiantly hybrid piece, pulsating with queer punk energy, challenging viewers to confront the blurred lines between life and death, expression and nonexistence.
Anhell69 is incredibly unique, and typing that feels like a massive understatement. Because of this uniqueness, it is inherently divisive: Film lovers will be enthralled, but other viewers will be confused and even offended. In this and other ways, Theo Montoya sets himself up to become something of a Colombian John Waters, demanding that the viewer look at the realities of queer sexuality, drug use, and societal violence and accept them.
Part documentary, part fiction, all spirit, Anhell69 is a personal expression of grief with palpable gothic undertones. There is a brutal honesty in its experimentation, a ghost of a film that could have been had those set to star in it lived to complete the project. Those studying queer culture in Medellín, Colombian film, and experimental film will be the most interested in Anhell69. If your collection serves a large queer studies department, consider Anhell69 an Editor’s Choice. Highly Recommended.
Where does this film belong on public library shelves?
Anhell69 occupies a unique space and would be well-suited for placement in several different sections of a public library. Primarily, it belongs in the Queer Cinema collection due to its strong LGBTQ+ themes and exploration of identity, loss, and community. It also fits well within Experimental Film shelves, as its hybrid style—blending documentary, memoir, and dreamlike narrative—defies conventional genre boundaries. Additionally, it deserves a place among Cultural Documentaries, particularly those focused on Latin American perspectives, urban youth culture, and socio-political realities. Its poetic, introspective tone and layered structure make it a compelling addition to any collection that highlights marginalized voices and unconventional storytelling.
What kind of college classroom could use this title?
Anhell69 would be a powerful resource in any Queer Studies course, particularly those exploring queer representation in global cinema or the intersections of identity, grief, and resistance. It would also resonate in Film Studies classrooms, especially in units on experimental or hybrid film forms, Latin American cinema, or autobiographical storytelling. Furthermore, classes in Cultural Studies, Sociology, or Urban Studies might also find value in the film’s portrayal of life, death, and artistic expression in Medellín, Colombia. Its mix of personal narrative, social commentary, and poetic imagery opens rich ground for interdisciplinary discussion and analysis.
Writer’s Note: While Anhell69 is being categorized under “film,” it could just as easily be shelved under “documentaries” due to its deeply personal and observational content. It exists in a hybrid space—part elegy, part visual diary, part political commentary—which makes it a thought-provoking choice for viewers and educators looking for work that pushes the boundaries of traditional nonfiction filmmaking.