Overview
Thousands of people in Colombia have been forcibly disappeared since conflicts began in the 1960s. The film 'Five Years, Four Months' brings this reality to life through the story of Martha Baquero, a mother searching for her son Fabian. Directed by Juan Miguel Gelacio and Esteban Hoyos García, the film premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Plot and Themes
Martha Baquero (Jenny Nava) has been searching for her son for years. The film follows her as she travels across Colombia, digging at potential burial sites and filling out endless paperwork. The directors use these mundane moments to evoke the emotional landscape of her life. Martha is never truly present; she is always waiting—for an answer, for her son, for something better.
Direction and Cinematography
Gelacio and García demonstrate impressive control of tension. The sound design amplifies the world around Martha, highlighting her detachment. Dream sequences of naked bodies in a dark forest provide a sense of release from the intense anxiety. The film's hypnotic rhythm remains unbroken throughout.
Performance
Jenny Nava delivers a largely wordless performance, her face a blank canvas that invites curiosity. Carmiña Martínez plays Sandra, another mother who has been searching for 24 years. Their connection brings Martha a measure of solace.
Key Scenes
In a dance therapy class, Martha briefly reconnects with her body. Later, she follows Sandra to a place where she might 'speak with a dead man.' The film culminates in a devastatingly beautiful scene where Martha talks about her son for the first time, surrounded by lush nature.
Conclusion
'Five Years, Four Months' is a moving portrait of grief that never stops transforming. It helps viewers understand the mothers who refuse to give up hope.
FAQ
- What is 'Five Years, Four Months' about? It follows Martha Baquero, a Colombian mother searching for her forcibly disappeared son, Fabian, years after his abduction.
- Who directed 'Five Years, Four Months'? The film is directed by Juan Miguel Gelacio and Esteban Hoyos García.
- Where did 'Five Years, Four Months' premiere? It premiered in the Crystal Globe competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
- Is 'Five Years, Four Months' based on a true story? The protagonist is fictional but inspired by real women who worked with the filmmakers.