Director : Claudia Llosa
Starring : Magaly Solier, Susi Sanchez
It is very easy to see why anyone would like this film. This is a thought provoking movie with a very great portrayal of the lead actress, with various twists and turns. This approach to the screenplay is what makes the film even better to watch. The film portrays a very interesting picture of a village in Peru, the detailed life of a family, what they do to make ends meet, and the very lovely girl Fausta, who is filled with plenty of fear, an illness she gets because of her mother’s rape while she was pregnant. Her mother teaches her to sing and chase her fears away, and Fausta has a secret that she does not want anyone to discover. And although Fausta is beautiful, she is filled with a deep pain that she lives with all her life. The movie also reflects on the culture of the family that lives in the village, where everyone wants to give a helping hand with a smile, under any sort of circumstance.
She is also in the process of saving money to make a wish of hers come true. Fausta played by Magaly Solier is a magnificently enacted role, as she speaks volumes and emotes through her eyes and her singing. As she enacts the constant portrayal of fear throughout her life after her mother’s death, her performance is powerful and moving. Her struggle through life alone after her mother’s death as she begins working as a maid in a high class house, and the universal struggle of humanity in the typical Latin American village, are never overdone, but have an extremely realistic approach by the director.
Elements of terrorism and guerrilla of Peruvian modern history is brought in by the director, as she reflects on the plight of women during that time of the 1980s and 1990s. Plenty of psychological and sociological analysis has been done in the film, with relation to what the people went through during this terrorism. There is true beauty in the description and etching of the characters, and this film is a unique experience to look at the lives of the lower and middle class of Latin Americans. The director does not spell out every solution for the characters, leaving viewers to think and reflect on life, and question the complexities of humanity.
Although the film has been shot on a low budget, the director masters cinematic skill, with only two professional actors, with honesty and wit. This story about hope in life is well narrated, with rich and beautiful images. It is quite an achievement for the director to make such a film in Peru, considering the poor resources they have for filmmaking. She proves that you don’t need a multimillion dollar budget to make a good film.
If viewers find the plot awkward, the fantastic performances and wonderful images will overlook that element throughout the viewing of this real and deep film.
Swarupa Pillaai
