Trailer : https://vimeo.com/1021891458/6f41f4ae44
Casas Muertas has been made possible thanks to the generosity and commitment of a dedicated and persevering team of filmmakers, who, along with Rosana Matecki, have made the realization of this beautiful and deeply moving documentary possible. Much work has been done by accepting deferred payment—editing, writing, graphic design, and promotional services—but it still needs to be honored.
Your solidarity at this crucial time will be a great contribution to Casas Muertas.
World premiere in competition at The Canadian spectrum Hot Docs 2025.
Casas Muertas, will shed light on Venezuela's eternal struggle for freedom.
This documentary is a powerful and thoughtful exploration of our country's current reality and its unwavering quest for a return to democracy.
The film emerges as an active voice for understanding Venezuela's past and its tireless struggle for a better future.
Over the last five years, Casas Muertas has received significant international recognition and funding from prestigious organizations, including:
Ibermedia
Conseil des Arts du Canada
Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec
ICCA Ecuador
IDFA Bertha Fund
Peter Reed Foundation
Rainbow Lobster Activist
parabellum film
Synopsis
The Venezuelan exodus resembles an escape from captivity.
In recent years, over eight million Venezuelans have fled the country.
Venezuela is a nation where protesters are killed in the streets, prisoners of conscience languish in cells, and death squads sow terror.
Every Venezuelan carries a “dead house” within them.
Broken houses - propped up, withstanding the fall, avoiding ruin.
Through the lives of four individuals—Isabel, Juan Pablo, Darwin, and Jesús—Casas Muertas delves into stories of resilience, loss, and hope amidst adversity.
Three generations of Venezuelans, united by uncertainty, scarcity, loneliness, and the desire for justice:
Isabel lived in Potosí, a town swallowed by water after engineers from the capital flooded it. She was forced to leave her home as the waters rose to her knees.
In Caracas, Jesús takes care of the house of a family that fled the country, a common new occupation for many Venezuelans. He faces each day with uncertainty about the future.
Darwin, a young man, prepares to cross the border alone, his entire family already gone. He works tirelessly, driven by determination and resilience.
Juan Pablo, the son of Elvira and Gregorio, was killed during the 2017 protests in Caracas. To remain in the country and continue their fight for justice, his parents have been selling their belongings one by one.
This documentary is an essay woven from two images: the harrowing flight of millions crossing borders and the haunting emptiness left behind in their abandoned homes.
Casas Muertas acknowledges the pain and loss that have fractured us as a nation while celebrating the resilience of those who remain, steadfast in their hope and courage.
Casas Muertas Team
Director & Writer: Rosana Matecki
Additional Writers: Ricardo Acosta, Abraham Lifshitz
Producers: Rosana Matecki
Co-Producers: Kiiskakuna Productions (Venezuela), Ocho y Medio (Ecuador), Filmoption Production (Canada)
Additional Co-Producers: Joe Torres, Natalia Imaz
Associate Producers: Rainbow Lobster Activista, Ricardo Acosta, parabellum film, Loring McAlpin
Executive Producers: Loring McAlpin, Ricardo Acosta, Sebastián Arrechedera,Claudia Lepage, Miguel Henrique Otero, Abraham Lifshitz,Camilo Paparoni
Director of Photography: Camilo Paparoni
Editor: Abraham Lifshitz
Story Editor: Ricardo Acosta
Sound Recordists: Dany Rojas, Almaclara Radharani
Production Manager: Carlos Luis Betancourt
Line Producer: Claudia Lepage
Field Producer: Wilcar Contreras
Sound Editor: Juan José Luzuriaga
Original Music: Luis Miguel Emmanuelli
Featuring: Isabel Mora, Jesús Hernández, Darwin Acosta, Elvira & Gregorio Pernaletes
About Rosana Matecki
Venezuelan-Canadian filmmaker Rosana Matecki has dedicated over 30 years to writing, directing, and producing independent documentaries. Her impressive body of award-winning work blends a free spirit with innovative storytelling, reflecting a deep commitment to exploring humanity through film.
Rosana has created documentaries in Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and Canada. Her films have been showcased at prestigious international festivals and documentary markets.
In 2021, Rosana premiered her short film "Saturday Night" at the Toronto International Film Festival, produced by the NFB (Canada). That same year, she co-directed the CBC Short Docs production "Life of a Dog".
Her notable works include "Los Viejos", "Something Happened in the Soul", and "Story of a Day", which premiered at IDFA in 2019.
Casas Muertas, her latest feature film, is slated for release in early 2025.
