WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
When dreams and despair collide, which might we grasp onto harder so we don’t lose sight of what it is we’re either chasing after or in danger of letting go of? It will never be an easy path to tread when we’ve lost something precious to us, life seems to be beating us down, and the concept of hope is all BUT a fantasy. Yet, if we’re willing to work through it, might we end up discovering that our efforts to right wrongs, improve our situations, and see a new light shine for the future ends up conquering all that stands between us and the goal? For a young single mother named Sonia (Leidi Gutiérrez), said efforts are centered on one primary objective–regaining custody of her little boy Angel (Gadiel Brambila). But, can she manage to overcome the past, showing the refreshed individual she’s become, that will then allow her the opportunity to share a wish her son has always had and that she promised to provide, even while also attempting to care for a sick grandmother as well?
Next, my Mind:
One of THREE indie short films offered from the highly prolific, Oscar-winning, U.K.-based production company Slick Films that had the recent opportunity to screen at the prestigious 2023 HollyShorts Film Festival, this 20-minute effort from writer/director Omar Deneb Juárez, producer Camilo Gutiérrez Galván, plus executive producers Chris Overton, Rebecca Harris-Turner, and Rachel Shenton soars to the heavens with emotional punch, grounded believability, beautiful cornerstone messages of perseverance and redemption, and with total conviction cements the ever-known truth and stirring potency of the bond between mother and child. It is this style of character-driven project that makes indie film stand out from the rest of the grander filmmaking world, and it could never be a more necessary time for the community’s voices and cinematic endeavors to be heard, seen, and, most importantly, ACKNOWLEDGED for the lessons in humanity they consistently deliver to us.
Filled with achingly raw yet likewise gentle, heartening emotive power, the narrative that sees a young mother making every possible effort to redeem her own missteps in order to have her beloved son back in her life for the chance to also fulfill a mutually shared desire to travel to the sea carries itself with such an affecting magnitude of credibility that engages the viewer from the start and holds them to the finale. I always state that it is the relatability factor of stories such as this which provides an undeniable degree of accompanying, captivating applicability to our own lives in some form, and why I continue to stress the NEED for more films that are willing to showcase the challenges we must confront, yes, but that we CAN then OVERCOME, subsequently encountering the freedom, happiness, and fulfillment at the end of it. Basically, something POSITIVE and UPLIFTING, which is sadly in DIRE short supply overall currently given the chaotic state of the world. For me, the film here GAVE me that awesomely moving atmosphere.
And all of this is carried off by, as stated above, illustrating first that our poor choices DO have consequences, but that we then must CHOOSE to deal with them in a manner that is constructive if we want to see better days, and that we ensure there’s a GOAL in sight to keep driving us forward to achieve our means and methods of self-improvement, hurdles notwithstanding. That is, in many respects, subtly but profoundly explored in this film as the narrative unfolds, as even in the moments where things seem to be heading in the right direction, there are also the ongoing, proverbial mountains that still try to get in the way and upend our belief in seeing our objectives come to pass. Clinging to hope is HARD, and sometimes, even when all is good, it doesn’t always mean the outcome we seek is immediate. The tokens we cherish which often symbolize what we value and are aiming for is given a wonderfully touching treatment here, which you will understand when watching the film. The finale is just as impactful, and so deftly, relevantly poignant.
The imagery utilized throughout the film is just as uncomplicated as the overall film itself, presenting us with what might as well amount to a camera literally following and filming a person’s life in purposeful detail, highlighting the dilemmas and victories they are experiencing, and allowing us as the viewer to be immersed in a world we can see ourselves in. Smoothly and steadily shot, the visuals sweep us away into Sonia’s reality with unimpeachable quality. Gutierrez conveys that perfect combination of vulnerability paired with absolutely plausible inner formidability through her role as Sonia, a single mother whose life choices have initially created a void she is dead set on repairing–the loss of her son to foster care due to her past personal sins. Working doggedly for years to rectify a damaged reputation and tarnished reliability as a mother, Sonia also must handle financial hardship and caring for an ill grandparent as well, all of which is trying to take its toll on the progress she’s strived for.
Seeing a light at the end of a painfully long-lasting tunnel, whether her actual chances to officially reunite with her son will happen or not remains open-ended, and Gutierrez imbues Sonia with beautifully executed intensity, determination, resilience, plaintive weariness, and heartwarming love in moments with her son that ebbs and flows like waves with character’s plight as it is revealed to us. It’s so REAL, and that is KEY for this kind of story. Primary supporting roles arrive from Brambila as Angel, Sonia’s young son who’s had to live apart from his mother for some time now in foster care and who lights up upon seeing her when she visits. Filled with an exuberance that emanates from him in spades, continuing to harbor a shared goal he has with her to venture to the sea, and so evidently yearning to be back with her, Angel’s presence on screen is brought to marvelously endearing life by Brambila whom you cannot HELP but, well, BE endeared TO and how he portrays Angel so understatedly but strongly.
Alejandra Gollas plays Lucia, the head of the foster home Angel is residing at and who has kept tabs on Sonia’s progress over the years and who will ideally be the bearer of the news Sonia is so deeply longing for. She makes every effort to be of encouragement to Sonia along the way, and can clearly empathize with her desire for reunion with Angel. Gollas’ portrayal of Lucia is a subtle yet powerful performance and adds just the right dimension of both hope and light tension to the proceedings. Other primary supporting appearances are made by Maria del Refugio Gutierrez as Sonia’s ailing grandmother, Dora Farias as Mrs. Pau who acts as a caregiver when Sonia must go to her daily job, and Jose Luis Rosas Priego as Sonia’s boss who tries to be supportive but still has a business to run in spite of Sonia’s situation. Additional turns are present from Jesus Galvan Moreno, Martha Verduzco, Rene Sanchez, Arun Jiminez, Kate Padilla, and Christian Santiago.
So, in total, “Isla Soledad” speaks to the dreamer within us all through its larger scope but then narrows the focus down to the realities both harsh and hopeful when it comes to making amends for the ways we’ve erred, illustrating an unwavering commitment to change, the urgency to live better, the importance of setting a finer example to one’s progeny, and demonstrating just HOW irrepressible the human spirit is when the goal being pursued will aid in seeing the former becoming clear and attainable. This is existence and all it entails, and it’s films like this that paint such a significant portrait of this. Thank you, indie film, thank you!
STAR RATING: (out of 5)
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
