Program 17: The Prince (El Príncipe)

In Spanish with English subtitles.

WARNING: Graphic sexual content, violence, and nudity

In 1970s Chile, 20-something Jaime (Juan Carlos Maldonado) is imprisoned for murder after a night of heavy drinking that ends with Jaime suddenly and seemingly inexplicably slashing the throat of his best friend.

Already a lost and lonely soul in the outside world, one expects the young man would be easy prey for the unscrupulous souls he’ll find inside the prison. And at first, those assumptions seem correct when he’s dropped into a cell with “The Stallion” (Alfredo Castro). A charismatic and respected older gangster, The Stallion maintains a small stable of younger men who cling to him for the protection he provides. Amidst the jealousy of certain cellmates, Jaime immediately becomes the favorite, the one who shares The Stallion’s bed each night.

Dubbed “The Prince” by his new makeshift family, Jaime adapts surprisingly well to life behind bars. On the inside, the most valuable currency is loyalty; though his relationship with The Stallion is complicated, there’s genuine affection there. In these unexpected new circumstances, he’s able to embrace his sexual identity and find the home he never really knew outside those prison walls. Attracted to the power and affection he’s craved for so long, Jaime finds himself willingly drawn into the deadly power struggles that play out amongst the prison’s inmates.

Inspired by a ‘70s dime-store pulp novel, The Prince both embraces and rises above its somewhat disreputable origins to become a thrilling prison drama, a poignant coming-of-age story, and a gripping story about the very human desire to be loved and seen for who we truly are.

~ Adam Lubitow

Awards & Accolades

• Official Selection – Venice International Film Critics’ Week
• Official Selection – San Sebastian International Film Festival
• Official Selection – Mill Valley Film Festival