NO TRAILER CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
First, the Recap:
How many times do we pursue the idea that “the grass is always greener on the other side”? No matter where we find ourselves in life, even when in a relative state of contentment, there exists a restlessness that needs to be answered, often by ascertaining our current state of being and deciding being somewhere else would be the best answer–or is it? Residing in a small village Columbia, best friends Juan David (David Javier Galindo) and Juan Estaban (Ronald Franco) find themselves in such a dilemma, finally opting to leave their home and discover a better life, one convincing the other to do so. However, no matter what avenues they take to do exactly what they intend, something always manages to thwart their attempts. The more this occurs, doubts begin to rise, and a reassessment of what’s truly needed to rectify their situation comes about.
Next, my Mind:
To find real happiness, equanimity, satisfaction, and fulfillment is a search we all embark on, sometimes on a daily basis, and it forms the core essence of this 12-minute short film project from writer/director/producer/editor Anton Wenzel plus producers Viviana Gomez Echeverry and Juan David Silva Torres that was screened at the 2nd Annual 2019 Berlin Illambra Experimental Film Festival housed at Salon AM Moritzplatz and hosted by Illambra. While granted being a slightly more obscure yet still definitive picture of the opening concept I mentioned above, the film’s narrative moves briskly and with intent to present the story of two boys and their adventure to leave the village they’ve always called home, with at least one of them absolutely assured it’s the best means to bliss while the other remains less optimistic, all carried off with both comedic and dramatic flare.
If anything, the film ends up perhaps dictating more of the notion that “home is where the heart is”, or in this case “has been”, even as the two Juans continue to experience roadblocks in ever-shifting forms each time they physically make their way to leave and meet with decidedly failing results. It also becomes a test of friendship and the potency of influence one person can have on another, ultimately threatening here to put a strain on the boy’s bond that may or may not end up recovering. Each can find their reasons to “escape”, but whether these reasons are genuine or truly valid is another matter entirely, and this speaks to our penchant to not wish to face problems or challenges, but rather just run away from dealing with them altogether. Even as young as the two are, it’s a very mature exploration thematically and is carried off with affectingly believable execution.
Galindo and Franco are perfectly suited for their roles as the Juans, two teenage boys who’ve only known the small mountain village in Columbia they were born into, with one deciding enough is enough and convincing the other to go. Each one plays at the strengths and weaknesses of the other in their ongoing plight to take on one simple task–leave the village and go elsewhere to find happiness. Even as they are waylaid by every possible, humorously enough often minor, inconveniences that prevent them from fully succeeding in their quest, it causes them both to stop and think a bit more about what they’re trying to accomplish, setting them on a path that will end up changing both of them forever, while seemingly leaving them in the exact place they started both physically and emotionally. It’s an uncomplicated yet complex journey they experience, with Galindo and Franco fully drawing us into their antics with fervor and subdued, understated performances that endear you to them as the viewer.
Supporting appearances are many, including Maria Etelvina Perez, Andres Ceballos Campuzano, Mariana Mahecha, Luis Eduardo Rocha, Camilo Cruz, Daniela Conde, Fabian Perez, Rebeca, Luisa Hernandez, Dayana Giraldo, Alix Sadira Franco, Yolima Olaya, Laura Vanesa Galindo, Carina Galindo, and Mayra Hernandez. In total, “A Farewell To Juan and Juan” emphasizes through its narrative the ideas of commitment to purpose, seeing things through, looking before leaping, and considering the ramifications of choices made all encompassed within the search for happiness. The two quotes from Albert Camus sum it up wonderfully–“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of” and “You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life”. Suffice it to say, in so many ways as shown in this film, both sentiments are so true and should be taken to heart.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
