The Projectionist (2019)

A solitary projectionist falls for a woman on a film reel and crosses the Dominican Republic to find her.

The Projectionist - Movie Information

  • Original Title: El proyeccionista
  • Release Year: 2019
  • Directed by: José María Cabral
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama, Thriller, Mystery
  • Age Rating (US): NR
  • Runtime: 1h 34m
  • Original Language: Spanish
  • Spoken Languages: Spanish
  • Production Companies: Tabula Rasa Films
  • Production Countries: Dominican Republic

The Projectionist - Plot

A lonely man who operates a film projector finds his only solace in a woman he sees on a film reel. After the reel is lost in an accident, he sets out to find the woman through the remotest, poorest places of the Dominican Republic.

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The Projectionist - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • José María Cabral

Main Cast

  • Félix Germán
  • Cindy Galán
  • Lia Briones
  • Ana María Arias
  • María Castillo
  • Francis Cruz
  • Jose Cruz
  • Pavel Marcano
  • Gerardo Mercedes
  • Salvador Pérez Martínez

The Projectionist - FAQs

What is The Projectionist about?

The Projectionist follows Eliseo, a solitary man who runs a film projector and becomes obsessed with a woman he sees on a reel. When the reel is lost in an accident, he embarks on a desperate journey through the poorest, most remote corners of the Dominican Republic to find her.

Does Eliseo ever find the woman from the reel?

The film keeps you guessing right up to the end. Eliseo's search takes him through a raw, unfiltered portrait of rural Dominican life, and the resolution is more about what he discovers within himself than a simple yes or no answer — making the ending genuinely thought-provoking.

Where can you stream The Projectionist?

You can watch The Projectionist for free on Tubi TV (with ads) or through Kanopy at no cost. It's also available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of ways to catch it.

Is The Projectionist based on a true story?

No, The Projectionist is an original work of fiction written and directed by José María Cabral. While the story is invented, it draws deeply on the real landscapes, communities, and social realities of the Dominican Republic, giving it a grounded, documentary-like texture throughout.

Who stars in The Projectionist?

Félix Germán leads the film as Eliseo, the lonely projectionist at the heart of the story. Cindy Galán plays Rubí, the woman he becomes fixated on, with supporting performances from Lia Briones, Ana María Arias, María Castillo, Francis Cruz, and Pavel Marcano, among others.

Is The Projectionist worth watching?

If you enjoy slow-burn, character-driven cinema with a strong sense of place, The Projectionist is absolutely worth your time. It blends drama, mystery, and thriller elements into a quietly affecting story that doubles as a vivid portrait of life in the Dominican Republic's forgotten corners.

Where was The Projectionist filmed?

The film was shot on location across the Dominican Republic, venturing into remote and impoverished regions that rarely appear on screen. Director José María Cabral used real communities as backdrops, lending the film an authentic, lived-in quality that distinguishes it from studio-bound productions.

What makes The Projectionist unique among Dominican films?

The Projectionist stands out for its willingness to explore the margins of Dominican society — the rural poor, forgotten towns, and invisible lives — through a deeply personal, almost mythic quest. It's a rare example of Dominican cinema that blends genre storytelling with genuine social observation.

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