Wood Eyes
A child's terrifying visions blur fantasy and reality.
Wood Eyes (Ojos de madera) is a 2017 Uruguayan film co-produced with Argentina and Venezuela. It marks Roberto Suárez’s feature directorial debut, with Germán Tejeira as co-director. The cast includes Pedro Cruz, Florencia Zabaleta, and César Troncoso.
The story blends fantasy and reality, presenting a children’s horror tale aimed at adults. It focuses on what a child’s eyes can see that adults cannot. Eleven-year-old Víctor (Pedro Cruz) is taken in by his aunt (Florencia Zabaleta) and uncle (César Troncoso) after his parents die in a traumatic accident. Suffering from post-traumatic stress, he experiences terrifying visions. His aunt and uncle try to connect with him, but his perception of the world has already crossed into madness.
The cast also features Guillermo Lamolle, Yamandú Cruz, Elena Zuasti, Haydée Fayerola, Ana Victoria Killaian, Gloria Demassi, Soledad Pelayo, and Juan Sánchez.
In December 2017, the Uruguayan Film Critics Association (ACCU) awarded the film in the categories of national fiction, best director, revelation award (Suárez), actress (Zabaleta), photography, art direction, music, and editing.
- release_year
- 2017
- country
- Uruguay (co-production with Argentina and Venezuela)
- director
- Roberto Suárez (feature directorial debut), co-directed by Germán Tejeira
- starring
- Pedro Cruz, Florencia Zabaleta, César Troncoso
- genre
- Children's horror for adults, fantasy and reality
- awards
- Uruguayan Film Critics Association (ACCU) awards in 2017 for national fiction, best director, revelation (Suárez), actress (Zabaleta), photography, art direction, music, editing
Lore & Background
The plot follows Víctor (Pedro Cruz), an 11-year-old boy adopted by his aunt and uncle (Florencia Zabaleta and César Troncoso) after the traumatic accident in which his parents died. Due to post-traumatic stress, he begins to suffer terrifying visions that haunt him. His uncles try to get close to him, but his vision of the world has already passed the barrier of sanity. The cast also includes Guillermo Lamolle as a toy maker, Yamandú Cruz as a butcher, and several other actors including Elena Zuasti, Haydée Fayerola, Ana Victoria Killaian, Gloria Demassi, Soledad Pelayo, and Juan Sánchez.
Reader's Guide
Wood Eyes marks Roberto Suárez's feature directorial debut and received significant recognition from the Uruguayan Film Critics Association (ACCU) in December 2017, winning awards in eight categories: national fiction, best director, revelation award (Suárez), actress (Zabaleta), photography, art direction, music, and editing. The film stands as a notable entry in Uruguayan cinema, blending horror and fantasy through a child's perspective. Its co-production with Argentina and Venezuela reflects regional collaboration. The film's focus on post-traumatic stress and childhood perception distinguishes it within the horror genre, though its significance is primarily within the context of Uruguayan film history.
Did You Know?
- Wood Eyes is Roberto Suárez's feature directorial debut.
- The film won eight awards from the Uruguayan Film Critics Association (ACCU) in December 2017.
- It is a co-production between Uruguay, Argentina, and Venezuela.
- The story is described as a children's horror story for adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of Wood Eyes?
The 2017 film follows eleven-year-old Víctor, who is taken in by his aunt and uncle after his parents die in a traumatic accident. His post-traumatic stress produces terrifying visions that the adults around him cannot perceive, blurring the boundary between fantasy and reality in a horror story built for adult audiences.
Who directed Wood Eyes?
Roberto Suárez made his feature directorial debut with this project, working alongside co-director Germán Tejeira. It is a Uruguayan production co-produced with Argentina and Venezuela.
Who is in the cast of Wood Eyes?
Pedro Cruz stars as the young protagonist Víctor, while Florencia Zabaleta and César Troncoso play the aunt and uncle who take him in after his parents' death.
What does the title 'Wood Eyes' refer to?
The title captures the film's central idea of a child's unique perception—what a young child can see in the world that adults remain blind to. It frames the horror entirely through Víctor's traumatized, imaginative point of view rather than through an adult's.
What awards did Wood Eyes receive?
The film swept the 2017 Uruguayan Film Critics Association (ACCU) awards, collecting honors for national fiction, best director, revelation, best actress, photography, art direction, music, and editing.
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