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First, the Recap:
Steadfast, unrelenting, unyielding fixation. We can pursue those things that mean the world to us with passion that is still contained within reason, controlled, even admired and sought after by the object of that attention. However, there can also be that time when it only takes one critical moment to shift that almost playful obsession and turn it into a frighteningly all-encompassing mania, the results of which can be less than favorable for anyone involved. In the beauty of a foreign countryside, there resides a man named Raul (Edgar Duran, Jr.), a simple, hardworking farmer who has recently found the love of his life in the beautiful Aurorita (Paola Rodriguez Olaya), whom he meets on the property he is working on.
Their mutually enjoyed romance, while evident at first, inexplicably gets broken apart, circumstances being what they are and happiness fades from Raul’s life. At a later time, the two find their paths crossing in an unexpected twist of occurrences, and they ultimately embark on a drive with a backdrop of the Cundinamarca landscapes, but with a sense of hesitations that Raul especially is not prepared for. Reeling from a recent loss, Aurorita is in a disheveled, emotionally vulnerable state of being, hardly able to control it, while Raul’s only recourse is to default into attempts to lighten the atmosphere between them without taking into any true consideration her mindset and heart towards him having been altered. The question soon becomes, will Raul’s fractured mind and desperate heart cause love’s destiny to shine, or fade further into darkness?
Next, my Mind:
Lessons in obsession, misplaced desire, hanging onto that which we need to let go of, helplessness, hopelessness, brokenness, and honest, raw, passionate, dangerous love for someone are all thematic elements being explored through this 24-minute indie short film from writer/director Natalia Chinchilla and writer/producer Bernardo Chinchilla, screening at the 2019 High Coast Film Festival sponsored by and/or in association with Illambra, Kramfors Kommun, Film Vasternorrland, Europeiska Unionen, Region Vasternorrland, Lansstyrelsen Vasternorrland and NBV. Told in both real time and via flashbacks that are dutifully utilized to illustrate the better days that transpired between two people young and in love, the narrative is briskly paced and wastes no time in establishing the fact that so often, when close bonds are abruptly separated then equally thrown back together again, people in the meantime have changed in demeanor and how they perceive the connection, usually to the potential detriment of at least one of the two parties in question.
It is then at this juncture where the awkwardness begins, accusations fly, and the depth of one individual’s longing and hurt towards the other comes boiling to the surface, as is showcased here when Raul’s feelings that fully linger within his already troubled mind and soul arise with less than opportune timing, instigating a heated and possibly harmful series of conversations and events between him and the one he can never forget or allow to move on. What this critic felt was the seriously impactful significance of this film was the fact it forces us as the viewer to think beyond just what this narrative itself depicts, but rather be honest with ourselves in how relatable it is on many levels when it comes to the oh so human proclivity to grasp onto that which we cannot have, even after its gone, and allow it become such a negatively affecting force in our existence, a consistent pain that is always there, even if not manifesting to the levels shown here. This is a cautionary tale without question, and it’s always been the beauty of indie cinema in its willingness to address the nature of humanity in unapologetic ways, even to the extent of reminding us of things like this magnitude of obsession and the ramifications of which may actually not be as unrealistic as we think or wish to acknowledge. We’ll always want to keep the ideal image of someone in our minds, even if reality has changed.
Now, it is true there are other particular factors that drive the thematic elements here when it comes to Raul’s behavior, but it doesn’t remove the notions above from the perspective we as viewers can take from this film. Plus, it delivers a shocking finale that portrays a haze of chaos the volatility of Raul and Aurorita’s reunion births. Duran is absolutely engaging in his role as Raul, a man of basic life and tastes who we see has no issue working hard to make his way in the world. Meeting the love of his life while on a farm he’s working at, it creates a wonderful building of friendship and love that appears to be one that will last a lifetime. Yet, when happenings come about that split the pair, Raul’s entire meaning in life paired with unforeseen mental issues take him down a much less appealing road that then makes what could have been a more amicable reconcilement with Aurorita go decisively south, leading to a culmination of his anger, resentment, yet unfailing devotion towards her spiraling out of control. Duran’s sheer zeal and gravity he lends to the character is palpable throughout the film, both in times of tenderness and turmoil, a worthy performance through and through.
Not remotely playing just “second fiddle” to Duran is Rodriguez Olaya and her legitimately powerful turn as the film’s titular title character Aurorita, a beautiful, sensible, loving woman who more than seizes the heart of Raul from the time he first sees her to the moments of intimacy they share in a life that seems meant to be connected. Yet, over time, Raul’s apparent decline in awareness and capacity to think straight throws a wrench in their “forever”, breaking them apart. When the unanticipated run-in with Raul occurs, there is initial joy on her part that quickly turns to overwhelming frustration and outright fury when he begins to push too hard to rekindle what no longer exists between them, only made more disheartening due to the circumstances she is facing and the new life she’s made for herself. How she chooses to handle it all at first seems understandable, but then becomes more and more anguished, the outcome of which will alter her life forever. It’s an impassioned performance, believably delivered, and tangibly heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, a testament to Rodriguez Olaya’s acting skills.
Supporting turns arrive via satellite characters played by Marcela Pinilla and Jhon Alveiro Montano. In total, “Aurorita Of My Eyes” is a quintessential indie film that once again highlights the beauty and fragility of the human capacity to love someone unquestionably while also not having the willingness to let go when needed, albeit never desired from the start. It’s an intense, grounded drama that certainly deserves notice and hopefully had its day at HCFF 2019.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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