A Poet (Un poeta) is a sharp, darkly funny Colombian film that takes aim at artistic ego, failure and the uneasy hope of second chances. Directed by Simón Mesa Soto, the Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner follows Oscar, a middle aged writer in Medellín who has long since given up on his dreams. Unemployed, living with family and drifting through the city in a haze of frustration and alcohol, Oscar sees himself as a misunderstood artist while the world keeps moving on without him.

Things shift when he is asked to mentor a talented young student, opening the door to possible redemption. What follows is a painfully funny and unpredictable journey as Oscar struggles to do the right thing without sabotaging himself along the way. First time actor Ubeimar Rios delivers a standout performance, blending humor and vulnerability in a character who feels all too real.

Opening January 30 at IFC Center in New York and the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles, with additional U.S. cities to follow, A Poet continues Mesa Soto’s run as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Latin American cinema. Winner of multiple international awards and Colombia’s official submission for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards, the film offers a bracing look at creativity, morality and the quiet chaos of trying to start over. For fans of Colombian cinema, international films and character driven dark comedies, this is one to seek out in theaters.

The film opens Friday, January 30, at IFC Center in New York City and the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles, with additional U.S. cities to follow, including Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. Mesa Soto will appear in person for Q&A sessions at sneak preview screenings on January 28 and 29 at the IFC Center, as well as during opening weekend at the Laemmle Royal.