“The Silence of Neto” a movie recommendation
(Photo from Amazon.com, film produced by Maya Media :http://www.mayamediacorp.com/)
As I sit here eating plantain chips I ponder this movie I saw yesterday. It’s set in 1950’s Guatemala, 1954 to be exact in Guatemala City. All of the actors with one exception are Guatemalan and the film is shot onsite, although in Anitgua, not Guate City, due to noise factors. (so says the writer/director in his DVD interview)
With a great deal of the press on Guatemala focusing on ancient Mayan practices and the country’s natural beauty, it was intensely refreshing to see a flim about a middle class family and their daily life. Well, as daily as it can be during such a politically turbulent time in Guatemala. Although some of the political backdrop (original radio programs from the president of Guatemala and more) are not fully clear on their own, the tenseness and fear that are the result of this turmoil and national change are.
The main character is a 12 year old boy, Neto. We have the priviledge of watching him discover girls, have adventures with his friends (despite the stronghold his family wishes to have on him) and interpret the world of adult relationships around him. He is curious, intelligent and anxious to break out on his own. Yet at the same time he is loyal and embraces tradition. He is Guatemala personified, right down to his asthma.
I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who is thinking of going to this personable, confusing and open hearted country. Or, for anyone who wants to know more about a country that is very much so taken advantage of yet so intensely misunderstood and known for its own personality and history.
Tags: family, Guatemala, movie
