I had the chance to see this film at the Seattle International Film Festival. It's a heartfelt, intimate portrayal of a family's grief, centering around the youngest daughter Valentina, who refuses to acknowledge the death of her father. The film is set in the rural Mixteco region of Oaxaca, and provides a close look at the life and traditions of a rural family: the forested landscape of the Sierra, cooking over the wood flame, simple meals with tortillas and atole, mourning and healing rituals, the local school.
As someone who has lost both my parents and my beloved dog since the beginning of 2022, I am all too familiar with grief, and I think this film was therapeutic for me to watch. It delves into emotionally difficult terrain with candor and compassion, and the actors, especially Valentina, do a fantastic job. The tapestry of the film is rich with symbolism from the natural world, which connected me with my grief experience and my time visiting Oaxaca.
As someone who has lost both my parents and my beloved dog since the beginning of 2022, I am all too familiar with grief, and I think this film was therapeutic for me to watch. It delves into emotionally difficult terrain with candor and compassion, and the actors, especially Valentina, do a fantastic job. The tapestry of the film is rich with symbolism from the natural world, which connected me with my grief experience and my time visiting Oaxaca.
