A Colombia, USA, and Spain co-production, Llueve sobre Babel (internationally titled Rains Over Babel) emerges as one of the most daring and aesthetically adventurous films of 2025. Directed and written by Gala del Sol, the film draws inspiration from Dante’s Inferno, inviting audiences into Babel, a nightclub in Cali, Colombia, depicted as a “liminal purgatory” between life and death.
The cinematic journey of Llueve sobre Babel began with prestigious festival screenings. The film made its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival’s Next Competition, followed by selections at the 2025 Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR) and the 24th Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival. These screenings confirm that the film has already reached audiences in 2025, with showings in May and June at various festivals (e.g., Inside Out Film Festival, OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival) and select theaters (such as Cineteca Nacional México and Fox Tucson Theatre). While its wide commercial release may vary by country, the film has embarked on its festival run, earning acclaim from critics and early viewers.
What makes Llueve sobre Babel unforgettable is its bold reimagining of Dante’s epic in a contemporary, queer, and visually dazzling world. The nightclub Babel is portrayed as a dive bar submerged in the waters of desire, deceitful deals, and lost time. Director Gala del Sol positions “Cali at the intersection of reality and (post)modernity, hierarchies of oppression and self-expression, rigid dogma and inclusive openness, in a sublime liminal space.” This “neon realm” overflows with a vibrant, unrestrained visual language where beauty and darkness intertwine. Thanks to cinematographer Sten Tadashi Olson’s mastery, every frame feels like a work of art, with the dance of colors and light unfolding the story’s psychological depth layer by layer.
Gala del Sol’s visionary direction transforms Llueve sobre Babel into a “daring, ambitious, and kaleidoscopic” experience. The film’s strength lies in its stellar performances, from Saray Rebolledo’s mesmerizing portrayal of La Flaca as the embodiment of death to Santiago Pineda’s next-generation mystic bartender, El Boticario. Felipe Aguilar Rodríguez (Dante), John Alex Castillo (Gian Salai), Celina Biurrun (Uma), Roman Escobar (Roma), and the entire cast bring authenticity to this fantastical universe’s “beautiful creatures.” The score by Martin De Lima complements the visual spectacle, creating an immersive atmosphere.
The film has already made waves at major festivals. After its world premiere at Sundance 2025’s NEXT section, it was featured in the IFFR’s Bright Future selection and won the Panorama Spain Award at the 24th Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival. The jury praised it as an “incredible and collaborative debut feature,” lauding its “wonderful performances, production design, direction, and editing” for tackling numerous issues through a “fun journey through hell on earth.” Critics have highlighted the film’s “unique style” and “vibrant personality,” noting that Gala del Sol demonstrates “cinematic courage and audacity” with this breakout work.
Llueve sobre Babel is more than a film—it’s a reflection of the soul’s and society’s liberation from chains and a testament to art’s triumph over mortality. Gala del Sol’s masterpiece pushes the boundaries of contemporary cinema, offering a genre-defying experience that every cinephile should not miss. The film has already begun building a dedicated fanbase through its festival run.
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