As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships, I found “In the Summers” to be a truly captivating and relatable cinematic journey. The narrative masterfully weaves together themes of fatherhood, trauma, addiction, sexuality, and forgiveness, all while showcasing Latine identity in a way that feels authentic and poignant.
Following its double victory at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the movie “In the Summers” will be playing in cinemas starting September 20. Directed, written, and produced by Alessandra Lacorazza, a talented queer Colombian-American filmmaker, this movie weaves together an intricate narrative that delves into the intricacies of parent-child relationships, broken aspirations, and ultimately redemption, drawing from her personal life experiences to create a captivating tapestry.
Violeta and Eva live with their mother throughout the year, but each summer they journey to New Mexico to be with their father, Vicente (René Pérez Joglar), who is both loving and unpredictable. The movie follows Vicente and his two daughters over several summers, capturing their lives from adolescence to adulthood. Indeed, those years can be filled with intense emotions for young people, as well as for Vicente, a complex character with ambitions and flaws who bears the burden of past heartache and dreams of rediscovering lost aspects of himself.
Over four chapters, the movie unfolds in a manner reminiscent of a vivid dream and a shattered fairy tale. It shares similarities with films such as Moonlight, Aftersun, and Nomadland. This impressive debut film by Lacorazza introduces them as an emerging talent to keep an eye on.
René Pérez Joglar in an Award-Worthy Performance
In this film, Alessandra couldn’t have found a more ideal leading actor than René Pérez Joglar. His powerful performance has the potential to draw immediate attention and even stir up discussions for awards. This is one of the most impressive performances in cinema this year, and it provides Joglar with an excellent opportunity to showcase his already extensive skillset. The man, who is famously known as “Residente”, a multiple award-winning Puerto Rican rapper/writer/filmmaker with a combined total of 31 Grammys and Latin Grammys, delivers such a convincing portrayal of Vicente’s complex character that it often seems like you’re watching a real-life documentary about a father.
In the movie, Dreya Castillo and Luciana Elisa Quiñonez portray Vicente’s daughters, Violeta and Eva, during their youth, while Kimaya Thais Limon and Allison Salinas depict them in their middle years. Sasha Calle and Lío Mehiel take on the roles of the sisters as adults. Each actress delivers a convincing, multi-dimensional portrayal of two siblings finding their identities, frequently dealing with Vicente’s reservations. The film keeps details about their mother and Vicente’s history with her vague, adding an extra layer of mystery that makes it all the more captivating. The storytelling strategy is one of several deliberate omissions in the narrative, resulting in a subtly powerful performance that emotionally paints the tale instead of explicitly explaining it.
Coming of Age In the Summers
As a film enthusiast, I found myself standing outside a bustling bus station, where I first encountered these three young girls. One of them was easily recognizable in her vibrant yellow jacket, denim jeans, and sneakers. Moments later, a man appeared, battling an uneasy twitch, who would turn out to be their enigmatic guardian, Vicente – a man with a selective memory of their shared past and unaware of their academic progress.
The filmmaker swiftly moves from one scene to another to document Vicente and his experiences with the girls: a cozy pasta dinner turns into laughter, pizza at an amusement park, billiards at a local bar, gazing at stars. Yet, there’s always a haunting undercurrent of emotion in this artistic landscape. Vicente’s occasional outbursts of frustration might stem from his past as a mathematical prodigy who never found his place. He holds onto the past, attempting to recapture a long-lost emotional peak. However, he fails in his endeavor.
It’s not unexpected, given the circumstances, that smoking, drinking, and occasionally drug use are depicted. The portrayal of this man is done thoughtfully, never portraying him as a loser or monster. At one instance, Vicente instructs his eldest daughter, Violeta, on how to smoke marijuana, ensuring it’s done within the confines of their home and not misused elsewhere. Interestingly, Violeta often takes center stage in various scenes. As she discovers her queer identity, her blossoming friendship with Camila (Gabriella Surodjawan) introduces an intriguing dynamic. The question arises: Will Vicente embrace and accept Violeta for who she is?
Fatherhood, Trauma, Addiction, Sexuality, and Forgiveness Converge
At a crucial point in the production of this independent film, there was an opportunity to change direction and focus more heavily on Violeta’s journey towards freedom. However, director Alessandra Lacorazza decided against it, instead making successful choices. Instead of altering the film’s focus early on, a significant shift occurs around the midpoint when a tragic incident alters everyone’s lives drastically.
Once more, the filmmaker chooses to avoid typical plotlines seen in post-traumatic narratives, offering a more authentic tale instead. The depth of this narrative stems from everyday, familiar, and identifiable moments experienced by many families. Remarkably, In the Summers skillfully portrays Latine identity, exploring themes such as fatherhood, trauma, addiction, sexuality, and social mobility. In essence, this story delves into how we endure our parents’ influence, and the complexity of that very survival.
Observe how skillfully and assuredly Lacorazza portrays the final summer of these three characters. Fresh faces make an appearance, along with some familiar ones. Time has moved on, and a point comes when each member of the main trio recognizes not just their identity, but where they stand in life. Lacorazza also subtly introduces a touch of enigma into the storyline. This work is truly moving and profound. Essentially, this film poses the question: Is it possible to make amends – for mistakes, words, and deeds? Or will those things continue to shape our individual identities? “In The Summers” hits theaters on September 20 from Music Box Films.
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2024-09-20 18:32