ESPINA DANIEL POLER

  • PANAMA | UNITED STATES

    • /

  • SPANISH

    • /

  • 2025

    • /

  • 89 mins

Before undergoing spinal surgery, Jonathan, a Venezuelan expat who is bitter about losing his job, arranges a vacation to Panama City. He enlists a cynical playboy and a struggling actress as temporary helpers for the trip from Mexico City because he is paraplegic and cannot travel far on his own. This strange trio journeys into the wild side of Panama, lavishly sponsored by donations intended for his "surgery." It's unclear whether Jonathan chose his destination as a diversion or to get revenge for a long-standing hatred.

Producer(s) or Production Company :

Daniel Poler, Jorge Abarca, Paulina Mondragón, Gloria Ortega, Frida Torresblanco, Ari Tan

Screenplay :

Daniel Poler

Director of Photography :

Jorge Abarca

Editor :

Daniel Poler

Music :

Tomás Altamirano

Sound :

Carlos Beto Urriola

Cast :

Jonathan Benaim, Aarón Díaz, Lola Ponce, Mimí Lazo, Freddy D'Elia, Juliette Roy, Marigaby Sealy, Paulina Mondragón

Awards - Winner :

Miami FF (Audience Award for Best Feature, World Premier)

Awards - Nominations | Screened | Official Selection :

Hof IFF (Official Selection), New York Latino FF (International feature).

Daniel Poler is a Venezuelan Panamanian writer and director based in New York City who studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design. His background combines documentary sensibility with narrative filmmaking. His filmography includes the short documentary TUESCO (2022), produced for The New Yorker. His work blends intimate personal storytelling with humor and emotional depth. His awards and recognitions include festival prizes and growing international attention for his debut feature and short form work. ESPINA is his debut feature film.