“Did someone hear a woman cry?”
A Haunting Guatemalan Ghost Story
In 2019, Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante released his third feature film, La Llorona, a haunting ghost story that explores the aftermath of the Guatemalan genocide. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was selected as the Guatemalan entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the Ghost Stories series with a conversation about La Llorona.
Women Confronting the Horrors of the Past
In our discussion of La Llorona, we focus on how the film centers around the women in a retired general's family as they grapple with the accusations of genocide against him. Through the mysterious presence of their new housekeeper, Alma, and the visions she induces, the general's wife, daughter, and granddaughter are forced to confront the truth about his actions and their own complicity in the horrors of the past. As the story unfolds, the general becomes an increasingly antagonistic figure, unable to face the consequences of his past deeds.
Blending the Ghost Story Genre with the La Llorona Myth
La Llorona effectively combines elements of the traditional ghost story genre with the well-known Latin American folktale of La Llorona, the weeping woman. Bustamante skillfully weaves these two narrative threads together, creating a haunting and atmospheric tale that slowly reveals the truth behind Alma's presence and her connection to the general's victims. The film's use of water imagery and the unsettling presence of ghostly figures further enhances the eerie and unsettling tone.
Other topics covered in our conversation include:
- The strong performances of the cast, particularly María Mercedes Coroy as Alma and Margarita Kenéfic as the general's wife
- The film's commentary on the intergenerational trauma caused by the Guatemalan genocide
- The gradual revelation of Alma's true nature and her role in the story
- The importance of acknowledging and confronting the atrocities of the past
A Thought-Provoking and Haunting Film
La Llorona is a powerful and thought-provoking film that uses the ghost story genre and the La Llorona myth to shed light on the horrors of the Guatemalan genocide. Through its haunting atmosphere, strong performances, and exploration of intergenerational trauma, the film leaves a lasting impact on its viewers. La Llorona is a compelling and important work that deserves to be seen and discussed. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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The Next Reel team has been dedicated to reviews, news, and commentary on world film for a decade. This podcast is The Next Reel master feed including all the episodes of The Next Reel, Trailer Rewind, The Film Board, The Speakeasy, and the other shorts, interviews, and specials we've produced over the years.