Directed by: Dominga Sotomayor Castillo
Starring: Santi Ahumada, Emiliano Freifeld, Paola Giannini, Francisco Pérez-Bannen
Ana (Giannini) and Papa (Perez-Bannen) wake their two young kids, Lucia (Ahumada) and Manuel (Freifeld), early one Thursday morning and set off from their home in Santiago, Chile. So begins a long weekend trip to the north of the country. At first thrilled with the idea of a family excursion, ten-year-old Lucia slowly begins to realize all may not be well with her parents' relationship as the struggling couple attempt to put on a brave face for their children's benefit.
Sotomayor's debut employs the 'Tom & Jerry' technique of Spielberg's 'E.T' to convey the perspective of young Lucia. The use of dialogue is fractured, teasing us with snippets of half-heard conversations. While it does suggest the frustration of an inquisitive child's thirst for information, it ultimately becomes equally frustrating for the viewer. Sotomayor literally straps us into the back seat for much of the movie, giving us practically nothing in the way of story or character. It's left to young Ahumada to carry the film, which she does well, but it's too large a burden for a child to carry. After an hour on this journey you'll find yourself subconsciously asking "Are we there yet?"
5/10