Ixcanul Volcano, 2015.
Directed by Jayro Bustamante.
Starring Maria Mercedes Coroy, Maria Telon, Manuel Antun, Justo Lorenzo, Marvin Coroy.
SYNOPSIS
Maria is a 17 year old Mayan girl who lives and works on a coffee plantation with her family. Despite the arranged marriage that awaits her, Maria dreams of escaping to the city, but then an unwanted pregnancy pulls her world apart, forcing Maria to take drastic measures in order to secure her family’s future.
Maria (Maria Mercedes Coroy) isn’t your typical seventeen year old girl. While most teenagers are preoccupied with prom dates and Instagram, Maria is more concerned with avoiding venomous snakes and finding ways to escape an arranged marriage. Ixcanul opens with a long close up of Maria’s face as her mother Juana (Maria Telon) prepares a head dress for the impending arrival of her fiance, Ignacio, instantly setting the tone for what is to follow.
Initially, we know nothing of Maria’s situation except for the fact that she’s clearly unhappy, yet the poor girl never outwardly complains, remaining emotionally guarded for the majority of the films running time. However, the pain that Maria endures is etched silently in her features and as she fights harder and harder to take control of her life, each misstep becomes more distressing to watch.
Without exception, the men in Maria’s life do nothing but cause her pain. Pepe uses Maria for sex and then quickly abandons her, leaving the young girl alone to deal with the devastating implications of their one night tryst. Maria’s father (Manuel Manuel) is no better, allowing his pregnant daughter to enter a field of snakes in a misguided attempt to save their harvest. Unfortunately, the man Maria is betrothed to turns out to be the most despicable by far, lying to both her family and the police with consequences that ultimately prove devastating for Maria’s future happiness.
The clash between modernity and tradition has been frequently explored by filmmakers as diverse as Yasujiro Ozu and Satyajit Ray, but here, Jayro Bustamante’s use of non-professional actors brings an inimitable authenticity to the story of this small Mayan community. Coroy is exceptional in the lead role of Maria, but it’s Telon’s portrayal of her mother Juana that holds the entire film together.
Watching Juana cling to her traditional customs as she tries to do right by her daughter is heartbreaking to see, yet not once does Ixcanul slip into melodrama. Instead, the most powerful moments in Ixcanul arrive completely unexpected, hovering in a lingering glance or a pause between words. Without spoiling the films final moments, one particular scene set in the back of a truck is absolutely devastating to watch and even now, it’s hard to recall Telon’s performance with dry eyes.
In a just world, both Telon and Corey would be nominated for a plethora of awards, but hopefully, the film itself stands a chance at least, especially as Ixcanul is the first Guatemalan movie ever put forward for Academy Award consideration. Quite frankly, this achievement becomes even more astonishing once you learn that Ixcanul is Bustamante’s feature film debut. His exquisite framing and the steady pacing of each scene gives the performances space to breathe naturally, moving the narrative forward while still providing a glimpse of the Mayans daily rituals.
These quieter moments possess the feel and tone of a documentary at times, yet each is far more beautifully composed than this would suggest. Even the visceral slaughter of a pig possesses a calm that takes some adjusting to for western audiences unacclimatised to such sights. Only when Ixcanul ventures into the city does the camera work change, freewheeling from the serenity of Bustamante’s long takes into a frenzy of chaos and panic.
Bustamante may have chosen to tell Maria’s story through film, but Ixcanul is more reminiscent of a classic fable, kept alive for centuries through word of mouth. Without an actual campfire to tell this tale around, Bustamante settles instead for the titular volcano of the title, a grander backdrop that will stand the test of time long after the modernity of the here and now is forgotten.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
David Opie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=C_zu6XuI_g4
Originally published October 12, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
