La Llorona

La Llorona is an arresting amalgamation of supernatural folklore and political allegory from Guatemala, which is as chilling as it is thought-provoking. The movie is directed by Jayro Bustamante and was released in 2019. It provides a unique interpretation of the Latin American legend and positions it within the contextual framework of the Guatemalan political landscape.

The film unfolds predominantly in Spanish, with English subtitles adding further convenience for the non-Spanish audience. This audiovisual experience, combined with the movie's indigenous origin, evokes a profound connection to its origin and cultural ethos.

At the heart of La Llorona lies General Enrique Monteverde, played brilliantly by Julio Diaz. He is an aging Guatemalan dictator who is on trial for the genocide of indigenous Mayans during the country's brutal Civil War. Fuelling the narrative is a series of events that plunge the Monteverde household into chaos and torment.

As the old man resides, tormented by his past, he begins to hear a constant weeping sound, attributed to the legendary figure of La Llorona or the 'Weeping Woman.' This is a supernatural entity in Latin American folklore, a grieving mother who lost her children and cries while looking for them in the river, causing misfortune to those who hear her tears.

In this backdrop enters the indigenous woman Alma, played by María Mercedes Coroy. She is hired to assist the Monteverde household during these strange times. As fear and paranoia grip the household, the aura of supernatural presence intensifies, blurring the line between guilt-ridden nightmares and factual existence.

The film focuses largely on the women of the house – Carmen, the General's wife, played by Margarita Kénefic, and their daughter Natalia, a role handled excellently by Sabrina De La Hoz. The behaviour, involvement, and responses of these women to the unfolding series of events serve as a reflection of society's reaction and behavior towards governmental tyranny and its aftermath.

But La Llorona, rather than employ classic horror tropes, Provokes unease more subtly. Surreal sequences are juxtaposed with realistic scenarios, turning the ordinary into something eerie and unsettling. The sound design is also of particular note, with whispers, rustles, echoes, and, of course, the ceaseless mourning of La Llorona herself, which forms a haunting soundtrack for the movie.

The cinematography by Nicolás Wong Diaz is rich in metaphorical significance and visual metaphors. The film uses water as a significant symbol representing both life-giving and death-dealing aspects. The images shot are hauntingly beautiful, with the director using shadows and darkness not only to terrify but to make profound statements about the past and the present.

The film does not aim to incite jump scares but uses the medium of supernatural horror to throw light on historical atrocities and widespread injustice. It encourages viewers to remember the past and acknowledge guilt, implying that the recurring specters aren't the chilling apparitions but the terrifying acts of inhumanity perpetrated.

Terrifying in its silences than in its haunting voice, La Llorona weaves a tale of haunting that is rich with historical undertones and social commentary. The final act of the movie provides a climax that is tense and emotionally charged, leaving a lasting impression.

Known for his thought-provoking storytelling and craft, director Jayro Bustamante manages to take a historical moment of horror and blend it with a supernatural tale to create a narrative that points towards an uncomfortable but important chapter in Guatemala's history.

Overall, La Llorona differs considerably from traditional horror movies. It effectively uses the genre to lead the viewers through a horrifying journey and experience the brutalities humanity is capable of inflicting in the name of power and control. The eerie aura, the paranoia, and the suspense leave an impact that remains, long after the screen fades to black.

La Llorona is an impressive piece of cinema that might help viewers to open up to foreign-language films and appreciate the broad horizons of storytelling they offer. It provides a platform where folklore and history come together to offer a narrative that is hypnotic, culturally rich, and socially relevant, making it a must-watch for all lovers of cinema.