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"Innocence Lost?" |
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Directed by Luis Mandoki
- Written by Luis
Mandoki, Oscar Orlando
Torres
Starring Carlos Padilla,
Leonor Varela, Xuna
Primus, Gustava Munoz
Distributed by Slowhand -
2005 - 120mins - Rated R |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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How much will a mother sacrifice for the love of her son? |
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"Innocent Voices",
winner of the Audience Award at the 2005 Heartland Film Festival in
Indianapolis, is the story of 11-year-old Chava, a young boy living in
war-torn El Salvador in the 1980's. El Salvador in the 1980's was in
the midst of a civil war...the in-power regime was often brutal to its
citizens, and began forcibly recruiting young boys at the age of 12
and, quite often, allowing its young soldiers to rape local girls.
Chala and his family live between the two war zones in a small village
that is frequently the subject of shooting, soldier recruitment and
infiltration by both sides. Chala, in essence, has one more year of
"innocence"...if, indeed, he can remain innocent while living in the
midst of a war zone.
Chala is portrayed by newcomer Carlos Padilla, the son of a mime, who
was discovered a mere two weeks before shooting was scheduled to
begin. Padilla here is called upon for near cinematic greatness...he
must convincingly portray a character that is innocent, playful,
childlike and hopeful while also becoming the "man of the house" after
his father leaves the war-torn nation for the United States and also a
grieving, conflicted young boy who watches his friends go off to war
and/or die in the streets. He is surrounded by a loving family...his
young, suddenly single mother, played beautifully by Leonor Varela,
who captured the equivalent of the Mexican Oscar for her performance
here. Likewise, Chala's siblings are played with simple grace by
Adrian Alonso and Alejandro Felipe.
Screenwriter Oscar Torres was present for this screening, and it is
his life story upon which the film is based. Torres escaped El
Salvador at the age of 14, and was able to get his family out six
years later. He studied at University of California-Berkeley and began
acting in commercials, then gradually has been able to land TV and
film roles. Yet, Torres openly admits that writing "Innocent Voices"
was a personal exorcism for him and he clearly still feels deeply this
experience from his childhood. Torres spoke openly and freely about
his distaste for American support of the El Salvador government at the
time (millions of dollars and training), while also being in touch
with the fact that his life has improved while being here. Torres
spoke most passionately about the approximately 40 nations that
continue to utilize child soldiers, and the absolute necessity of
having a place to dialogue and process war for those who experience
it.
The screenplay is, in fact, the strength of this film and elevates
this film considerably. Torres seems to be in touch with how much "in
your face" conflict an audience can handle, and intersperses the
tragedies with moments of great tenderness and hope. Early on, there
are scenes where yet another conflict is taking place and mother has
gone to work. The children are left to fend for themselves...These
scenes are powerful because, perhaps, they give us a true glimpse into
the psyche of a child living in a war zone. There's the youngest
sibling, who cries and is terrified...the older sister, perhaps more
mature, but very firmly in the female "role" in Central America and
thus defers to her brother, Chala. Yet, they work together...the
protect each other, hold each other and simply do what they must do.
It is a powerful, almost beyond powerful, scene that sets the tone for
the scenes to come.
Young Chala experiences young love, though these scenes are a touch
less convincing AND his scenes with townspeople, most notably, the
local priest, are powerful, revealing and haunting.
Stellar cinematography by Juan Ruiz Anchia perfectly balances the
beauty of El Salvador with the ugliness of war. There is a scene near
the end involving young boys who have tried to escape (including Chala),
utilizing the rebellion (the real life FMLN, now an El Salvadorean
political party) who are captured by government soldiers. This scene
is directed perfectly by Luis Mandoki, who has directed films of great
humanity (such as "Gaby") and great intensity (such as "When a Man
Loves a Woman"). Torres shared considerably regarding the shooting of
this scene and the impact of it on the children.
The film is produced by Lawrence Bender, who has produced all of
Tarantino's films and many others that uniquely balance humanity in
all of its glory and rage. "Innocent Voices" was Mexico's submission
to last year's Oscars and it is shameful it was nominated. A
distribution deal has just been reached in the US, as the film was
officially released last year in mostly Latin American countries
(including El Salvador). The film is in 11 cities this week, and goes
in a wider release in two weeks.
In many ways, "Innocent Voices" has the rage and the authenticity that
was occasionally missing from "Hotel Rwanda." While superior in many
ways, "Hotel Rwanda" often felt staged and dramatized. "Innocent
Voices" FEELS like the real story of a real nation in a real war
costing real lives and destroying the innocence of real |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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TC Candler's Comment
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