The Cannes Film Festival in France is one of the most renowned international film festivals and since it was canceled last year due to COVID-19, this year has been bigger than ever. As celebrities and industry folk celebrate some of the most talented actors during the 12-day festival, there was one film that blew the audience away so much that and they stood for more than 8 minutes, applauding. The film is called “La Civil” and one of the main reasons for the long-lasting ovation was the incredible performance by renowned Mexican television, film, and theater actress, Arcelia Ramírez.

The new film follows the story of a teenage girl (Denisse Azpilcueta), who is kidnapped by Mexico‘s organized crime. Ramírez plays the girl’s mother “Cielo” who launches her own dangerous investigation into her disappearance. “Big and lasting applause for La Civil directed by Teodora Ana Mihai and with an incredible performance by Arcelia Ramírez,“ Flanders Image wrote in a Twitter post, along with the video of the ovation.

After receiving the ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, Ramírez told MILENIO, “In itself, being selected in this festival, which is but one, the most important in the world, that was already a gift, a wonderful reward, but yesterday‘s screening was absolutely unforgettable.” She also hopes that with films such as “La Civil,” one day in Mexico there will be a justice system that really attends to the victims and that the cases are resolved.”

La Civil is based on the true story of Miriam Rodríguez, who after the kidnapping of her daughter, began a mission to locate her when the kidnappers don’t return her, despite paying a ransom. Rodríguez was unable to see the finished film, as she was assassinated on May 10, 2017.