0German review here.
Almamula. According to a northern Argentine myth, a woman who lived without regret, practiced incest and had sex with men and women from her village. Cursed by God and transformed into a monster in the shape of a mule, she wanders in the forest and mountains at night, catching people who sin and killing them with a single kick.
Twelve-year-old Nino is exposed to homophobic bullying in his hometown in northern Argentina, so his family decides to move to a small village beside a forest for the summer. Far from the city and old friends, Nino, his sister Natalia and their parents have to find their way in the rural heat. But between sweaty days at the pool and monotonous confirmation classes, life near the forest tells its own stories. A boy has disappeared - stolen, according to rumors in the village, by the monster Almamula, who punished him for his sins. Drawn to the story and the forest itself, Nino explores the mysteries of the forest and his desires and faith.
Dreams and reality blend when director and screenwriter Juan Sebastian Torales gently allows the audience to enter Nino's world. Facing homophobic violance and intolrance at his young age, Nino tries to discover himself, not sure how he is allowed to feel and which of his thoughts are accepted.
Torales, who sets the story in his hometown of Santiago del Estero, has mainly worked on documentaries, and you can recognize it in "Almamula". The sound of the forest and landscape is brought to the screen in an intense and pure way - the dry heat and the secrets of the forest can be felt by just seeing the film. Through many indirect camera perspectives, Nino's feelings conveyed to the audience. He's more or less aware of them but still unsure if they are valid and who he can confide in.
"Almamula" hasn’t really a dramaturgical climax, the narrative is calm and without many moments of tension. You definitely have to like this calm structure to be captivated by the film. For me, however, director Torales and the cast, especially lead actor Nicolás Díaz, have definitely managed this. If you want to experience a gentle, but at the same time intense film about the acceptance of oneself and one's faith, complemented with northern Argentine myths and nature, you should definitely watch "Almamula"!
Further screenings at the Berlinale:
Su 19/02, 18:45, Cubix 8
Mo 20/02, 18:30, Filmtheater am Friedrichshain
Tu 21/02, 15:30, Cineplex Titania
Fr 24/02, 13:00, Urania
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