← Back to Reviews
in
Really beautiful Costa Rican film focusing on Clara, a woman with learning difficulties who starts to feel a sexual awakening and years to flee the grip of her controlling mother. At some points it reminded me of Ali Abbassi’s ‘Border’, with the message that we are all individuals who should be free to make choices and start relationships with whoever we choose. This film is very spiritual and connects with the Catholicism of central America. It also connects with nature, and some of the visuals and audio of the Costa Rican forests, rivers and insects wouldn’t be out of place on a wildlife documentary.
Clara is seen as a healer by her mother, who has labelled her as special. She’s also prone to the odd outburst and she has difficulties expressing her desires and needs. Her niece has a 15th birthday party coming up, and everyone is focused on that, while Clara is more or less neglected. The only friend she has is Yuca, a beautiful horse that was given to the family by a wealthy man who Clara helped. It's the debut feature of both lead actress Wendy Chinchilla Araya and director Nathalie Álvarez Mesen, which is pretty extraordinary given how well it is constructed and acted.
7.8/10
'Clara Sola' (2022)
Really beautiful Costa Rican film focusing on Clara, a woman with learning difficulties who starts to feel a sexual awakening and years to flee the grip of her controlling mother. At some points it reminded me of Ali Abbassi’s ‘Border’, with the message that we are all individuals who should be free to make choices and start relationships with whoever we choose. This film is very spiritual and connects with the Catholicism of central America. It also connects with nature, and some of the visuals and audio of the Costa Rican forests, rivers and insects wouldn’t be out of place on a wildlife documentary.
Clara is seen as a healer by her mother, who has labelled her as special. She’s also prone to the odd outburst and she has difficulties expressing her desires and needs. Her niece has a 15th birthday party coming up, and everyone is focused on that, while Clara is more or less neglected. The only friend she has is Yuca, a beautiful horse that was given to the family by a wealthy man who Clara helped. It's the debut feature of both lead actress Wendy Chinchilla Araya and director Nathalie Álvarez Mesen, which is pretty extraordinary given how well it is constructed and acted.
7.8/10