Centering on the universally relatable themes of identity, purpose, and the relentless march of bureaucracy, 'When I Existed' introduces audiences to Silvio Bertolini. After four decades dedicated to building Uruguay's leading gates construction company, Silvio looks forward to a well-deserved retirement. However, his plans are hilariously yet painfully derailed when he discovers that the National Pension and Retirement Fund – also his bank – has officially registered him as deceased.

What follows is Silvio's Kafkaesque odyssey through a labyrinthine bureaucratic system, depicted through dark, puddled corridors and endless lines. This frustrating journey, however, becomes an unexpected catalyst for self-discovery. As Silvio fights to prove his existence, he reconnects with old friends from his youth's sculling boat club and begins to question what it truly means to be alive, particularly in relation to his wife, who had hoped retirement would usher in a new, shared chapter for them.

Lead actor César Troncoso, known for his roles in 'The Pope’s Toilet' and 'The Eternaut,' delivers a nuanced performance as Silvio, navigating a spectrum of emotions from quiet resilience to outraged anger and wistful regret. Silvia Kutica portrays his increasingly estranged wife, providing a poignant counterpoint to Silvio's individual crisis.

Producer Federico Cetta of Uruguay’s El Cielo Cine describes the film as "a story of reinvention built around the things that truly matter." The production itself is an international collaboration, with David Matamoros from Barcelona’s Doce Entertainment and Andrés Rosenblatt from Montevideo’s Metropolis Films serving as co-producers. Matías Burgos of Moon Ideas is an associate producer.

M-Appeal co-founder Maren Kroymann expressed the sales agent's enthusiasm, stating, "What won us over about ‘When I Existed’ was its rare mix of humor and humanity." She added that the film's portrayal of Silvio's struggle with retirement and his wife's longing for connection is "both touching and deeply relatable, reminding us how easily we can get caught up in our habits and lose sight of what matters most."

Directors Damiani and Avdolov poured their personal experiences into the narrative, seeing the film as a reflection on the "deepest fear any human being can have: how are we supposed to live?" They explained that the project became a 'small act of resistance' against a world that increasingly feels automated and artificial. The film's elegant yet humorous cinematography, led by Manuel Branaa (a camera operator on Netflix's 'Society of the Snow'), visually contrasts the open marshlands of Silvio's past with the claustrophobic bureaucracy of his present.

Both directors bring diverse backgrounds to their filmmaking debut: Damiani from advertising and VFX, and Avdolov from a career as a novelist and non-fiction writer. Their collaboration has resulted in a compelling and timely story that promises to resonate deeply with audiences as it makes its way to the international festival circuit.