Acclaimed Dominican director José María Cabral is venturing into dark comedy for the first time with his upcoming feature "Sh*t Happens," which has officially been boarded for international sales by Madrid-based Latido Films. Produced by Rafael Elías Muñoz and Sárah Pérez Báez for Lantica Studios, the project is scheduled to hold its world premiere in competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Cabral, known internationally for making history as the first Dominican filmmaker to compete at Sundance with 2017's "Woodpeckers" and for representing his country three times as an Oscar hopeful, described the project as an exploration of domestic hierarchy. Formerly titled "Gut Feelings" and carrying the Spanish title "Comemierda," the narrative focuses on how entrenched social status collapses when basic dependencies are flipped upside down inside a single household.
'Sh*t Happens' Cast and Character Overview
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fele Martínez | Raúl | Biotechnologist father seeking a cure for his daughter |
| Lizbeth Santos | Verónica | Raúl's wife and Isabella's mother |
| Leonoro Forero | Isabella | Sickly daughter of Raúl and Verónica |
| Cindy Galán | Lidia | Household nanny who unknowingly provides the cure |
| Isabel Spencer | Dominga | Household maid who joins Lidia in challenging the hierarchy |
A Provocative Premise on Household Hierarchies
The plot revolves around a biotechnologist named Raúl, portrayed by Spanish actor Fele Martínez, his wife Verónica, played by Lizbeth Santos, and their ailing daughter Isabella, played by Leonoro Forero. Desperate to cure his daughter's illness, Raúl discovers an unexpected biological remedy that originates from the child's nanny, Lidia, played by Cindy Galán.
When Lidia and the family's maid, Dominga, portrayed by Isabel Spencer, realize the immense value of what they possess, the dynamic in the residence shifts dramatically. The staff begins to question and challenge the domestic upstairs-downstairs boundaries that previously dictated their lives, upending the power structure between employer and employee.
Finding Humor in Uncomfortable Power Dynamics
Cabral explained that the double meaning behind the Spanish title "Comemierda" reflects the story's critical viewpoint. While the phrase translates literally to "shit eater," it commonly serves across Latin America as a colloquial insult targeting snobbish, privileged behavior. Cabral noted that the title deliberately merges both definitions to mirror the film's premise.
Co-written with screenwriters Miguel Yarull and Nathalie Peralta, the script was developed with a strict rule that the characters must never treat the situation as absurd. Cabral emphasized that despite the outrageous medical scenario at the heart of the plot, the cast had to approach their motivations with complete dramatic seriousness. He cited the sharp social commentary of filmmakers such as Bong Joon Ho, Ruben Östlund, and Yorgos Lanthimos as tonal touchstones, while keeping the storytelling firmly grounded in Caribbean reality.
Visual Style and Collaborative Backing
Visually, Cabral drew inspiration from Pedro Almodóvar, utilizing bright palettes and structured staging to turn the house into an active narrative character. Rather than cutting frequently between close-ups, the production relied on wider ensemble framings and choreographed blocking, enabling viewers to observe the changing power shifts play out within continuous shots.
Latido Films previously teamed with Cabral on his 2021 drama "Hotel Coppelia." Managing director Antonio Saura praised the new feature's bold approach, pointing out that beyond its comedic entertainment, the production delivers an incisive critique of class and racism.
"Sh*t Happens" heads next to its competitive festival premiere at Tallinn's Black Nights Film Festival, where Latido Films will present the dark satire to international buyers and festival audiences.
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Source: Variety
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