Days of the Whale

Order a virtual screening of Days of the Whale!

You can order a virtual screening of Days of the Whale for just $11.99, after which you’ll have 30 days to start the film. Once you’ve started, you can watch the film as many times as you’d like within the next 48 hours, all in an online screening room created just for patrons of the JBFC.

With each screening of Days of the Whale purchased during this period, you’ll provide much-needed support to both the JBFC and Outsider Pictures—who will evenly split the revenue—as we work together to continue bringing our audience exciting new and repertory releases.

Any questions? Check out our Virtual Screening Room FAQ.

FREE Q&A: Join writer/director Catalina Arroyave Restrepo & cast for a free Zoom conversation hosted by El Cine. The Q&A will take place this Saturday, August 1 at 9:00pm. Click here to register for this free event!

A note from Senior Programmer Andrew Jupin: Stumbling across Days of the Whale and bringing it to you all reminded me of what is so exciting about working in film curation. Here is a movie you will not see posters for in subway stations (remember those?) or advertised in the weird boxes that sit atop taxi cabs. You also won’t see any of the stars or the filmmaker appearing on Stephen Colbert’s show via Zoom or singing in the back of a minivan with James Corden. And yet, it’s still very good! Days of the Whale is a stark reminder that none of that stuff matters when it comes to the quality and raw power a film can possess. I cannot remember the last time I screened such a self-assured, beautiful, debut feature, but Catalina Arroyave Restrepo has certainly won me over. To be on the ground floor for what will surely be a fascinating and prolific career, well, it’s something to get excited over! This is an impeccably crafted film featuring amazing graffiti art, natural performances, a strong political message, and a diverse and electric soundtrack that ties the whole thing together. To watch this film is like listening to the heartbeat of a new generation of politically minded, talented filmmakers beginning their journey. This film is alive.

About Days of the Whale:

2020. 77 m. Catalina Arroyave Restrepo. Outsider Pictures. Colombia. Spanish w/ subtitles. NR.

Set in the bustling city of Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, Days of the Whale follows Cristina (the mesmerizing Laura Tobón, in a stunning debut) and Simón (David Escallón, also in a powerful debut performance), two young graffiti artists who tag spots around where they live. Simón comes from a more working-class background and lives with his grandmother. Cristina is a college kid from an upper-middle-class family who finds herself living with her dad, because her journalist mother moved to Spain after being threatened by the city’s criminal street gangs. They are both part of an art collective that is the center for a group of young revolutionaries. The love that unites them, as well as their friendships with other artists, keep Cristina from leaving the city—even as tensions rise when Cristina and Simón’s rebellious, restless spirit lead them to defy the same gang that threatened Cristina’s mother by painting a mural over a threatening tag in front of the community arts center.

Order a virtual screening of Days of the Whale!

  • To take advantage of this screening option, you will follow this link to ROW8. You will first need to register on this site with your own personal login details (you will not have access through your existing JBFC account). It’s very easy! You will enter your name and email address and set a password. Signing up is totally free and you can opt out of any email communication from them.
  • You can watch ROW8 movies on most popular platforms, including Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple and Android mobile devices, most Web browsers, and via Chromecast and Airplay.
  • Note that you can rent movies on either ROW8.com or the ROW8 Roku app. Once you have rented a movie, you can watch it on any device linked to your account.
  • For any questions regarding applicable devices, streaming connection or payment issues, you will need to visit ROW8’s FAQ page.
  • Please feel free to reach out to JBFC support for non-streaming questions at support@burnsfilmcenter.org.
  • Please note that we are unable to offer member prices.

Order a virtual screening of Days of the Whale!

The Jacob Burns Film Center is proud to receive generous support from:

Email Sign Up

Get updates on screenings at the JBFC Theater, upcoming events, and more!