Short Film Review “Chiquita” Finding yourself in the midst of inward adversity gets a South Asian-influenced makeover to charming effect
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Nobody, at least to my knowledge anyway, LIKES the feeling attained through losing. In any manner. Whether it’s in the context of competition or within the arena of our own personal life, once something we’ve valued, cherished, and cultivated is ripped away from us, it hurts. Now facing this upended mentality and reality, HOW we choose to then confront, and hopefully recover from, the loss (or losses) becomes paramount in order to discover inner peace again.
For a committed biker named Charles (Jody Dean), the circumstances that caused his recent divorce and subsequent rattled state of mind are fresh and lingering. Now, he finds himself at odds with his own daughter Anna (Brett Caroline Butler) and her highly conservative husband Joel (Zack Michael Brown) over his newly discovered Eastern religion-based beliefs. Sharing the tale of meeting a mysterious girl (Ananya Krishna Enuganti) that altered his path with a local teen, Freyja (Cyane Gan), will this be able to prompt and form the familial peace he ultimately desires?
Next, my Mind:
There’s cultural appropriation and then there’s cultural APPRECIATION. The fact is that this dichotomy is often manifested in the area of filmmaking, especially when the philosophies and beliefs of another country get intermixed with those of our own. But, what honestly should NOT be the case is that even when this is occurring, we shouldn’t be so quick to judge it solely on the basis that said traditions or customs don’t immediately seem to mesh with ours. It is TOO EASY to bring this about, more so in the specific area of religious pursuits. However, can we not at least be respectful of other ideologies, perhaps in spite of whether we agree or disagree with it as, sometimes anyway, “to each his own” DOES actually hold merit. This examination is what, for this critic anyway, shapes the primary underlying essence of this indie feature film from writer/director/producer Gajulapalli Trivikram plus executive producers Rajesh Varma Pericherla, Sripal Sama, and Sahitya Sure that addresses this notion with both a challenging and heartening message about family, faith, loss, coping, and finding serenity that transforms and lasts.
Told through the eyes of a recent divorcée battling anger, resentment, a need to grow up, issues with his family, wishing to maintain his developing religious choices without undue scrutiny, and the aftermath of a motorcycle crash that ends up altering his life and doctrine forever, the film becomes an immediate blend of Eastern and Western concepts, but does so in a manner that very much holds to the latter of the two viewpoints mentioned at the beginning of this write-up. And because this is the direction chosen to follow and expand upon, it then delivers the messaging intended with greater substance and significance, a purposeful, compelling argument for us as human beings to find or continue to extend the magnitudes of recognition and reverence for what others decide to believe, even when it clashes with our own mindsets. The conflict that’s represented here is handled unflinchingly but with genuine soul and spirit forging the way, so was NOT to be some kind of offensive against either Western or, in this case, South Asian religions, but rather to witness what it is to explore each and at least manifest a unified understanding of it all.
What I did appreciate here in this foray was the intertwining of drama and mystery/mystical elements that end up serving the narrative well throughout. The internal and external fight to determine one’s self-identity as it applies to domestic harmony and within oneself is adeptly showcased, and this is where the grander relatability of the narrative comes out, as we see multiple forms of interpersonal dynamics displayed as the story and events unfold before us. Hence, as mentioned earlier as well, the resistance to and skepticism encountered when searching for precisely WHAT we believe in that can lead to the non-understanding of others around us when we HAVE successfully come across what has created the solace we seek is a primary thematic journey here. The things we do bring upon ourselves yet blame others for, the desire to be reconciled with those we love, our foundational need for one another, the healing power of forgiveness, the realization that we need to be complete within through balance and hope, which cannot always be found in others are but some of the other themes we are privy to over the course of the narrative.
It therefore all accompanies us towards a finale that is actually quite expected and uncomplicated, but perfect to provide the film with its quietly yet profoundly stirring relevance and necessary influence that leaves you feeling down right great in heart and mind, a smile on your face, which we could ALL use more of in this crazy, turbulent world. Dean embodies the “everyman” and consummate “rebel” with such a sincere magnitude of believability and ultimately endearing demeanor via his role as Charles, a man in turmoil when his more “childish” attitudes cause him to lose his wife, sending him into an internal spiral that initially cannot seem to be quelled. But, when an accident becomes the wake-up call that’s needed to confront his own fractured beliefs and introduce him to his newfound faith via a magical/mystical interaction, the path he’s one then brings contention between him and his daughter, her husband, and the desire to see and further connect with his granddaughter. What follows from there is an adventure of both tension and triumph, with Dean’s performance blazing the way with infectious energy, wit, and inspired intent.
Primary supporting roles begin with Kara Rainer as Sophie, Charles’ long-suffering now ex-wife who tried her level best to change his wayward ways but could no longer weather the stubbornness of his habits and choices. Gan plays Freyja, a local teen in Charles’ town whom he contracts to help him out around his property but also becomes a confidant and almost father figure to, even as she is good at prompting him to open up even as he looks out for her. Butler is Anna, Charles’ somewhat estranged daughter who is having to face her initial disagreement and discomfort with her father’s newfound religion, which clashes with her and her husband’s Christian-based ideals. But, Anna may end up having her own inner revival before it’s all over. Brown plays Joel, Anna’s husband and not exactly her father’s biggest fan, feeling that his Eastern beliefs are effectively pagan and unwanted. Whether there can be a peace between the two men is another focal point that the film addresses to good effect.
Evelyn Owen is Olivia, Anna and Joel’s young daughter and Charles’ granddaughter whom he cherishes beyond words, but also wishes to try and teach about being free to determine what you believe as an individual, rather than being “fed” only one particular dogma as the ONLY faith. Her love for her granddad is charming and wonderful, even as her parents still remain hesitant of Charles’ intent. Tom Costello Jr. appears as Henry, a local man who ends up assisting Charles in the wake of his accident….and who may not actually be all he appears to be, but perhaps MORE. Ananya Krishna Enuganti gets the honor of playing the otherworldly/transcendent/ethereal girl that Charles gets a very pronounced and life-altering visitation from after his accident, the catalyst for him to realize South Asian religion as his source of peace he so drastically needs at that point. She is the portrait of the female aspect of the divine, and her influence over him is evident. Additional appearances are made by Andres Maximiliano Chavarria as a local mechanic Charles speaks with, Steven Foradori is Adam, a psychiatrist friend of Charles he consults on his first visions, and Tyler Harden as Leo, a friend and admirer of Freyja. Everyone here, and I mean this, performed their parts with the appropriate levels of fervor, purpose, and full credibility.
So, in total, “Chiquita” clearly, intelligently, resolutely, dramatically, and with straightforward aspirations delivers a cross-cultural story about standing firm for what you believe, putting aside undue judgements, facing ourselves and the obstacles preventing us from moving ahead, coping with loss, striving for contentment and permanent inner peace, and acknowledging that we CAN all exist in hope and unity while embracing truths through a higher power via wholehearted surrender and commitment to it, whatever that may be for each of us.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
