Review: Mamifera (SXSW 2024)

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Title: Mamifera
MPA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Liliana Torres
Starring: Maria Rodriguez Soto, Enric Auquer, Ruth Llopis
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

What It Is: Lola (Soto) is a woman who isn’t getting any younger. Her partner Bruno (Auquer) seems more than happy with the dynamics of their relationship. That’s all about to change as it turns out that Lola is pregnant. Now the two have a decision to make. Do they change their entire lives and welcome the birth of this child or do they abort the pregnancy and let their lives remain unchanged. But as they wait the required three days before fully committing to either decision circumstances may move the needle in one direction of the other.

What We Think: This is a pretty good flick. Maria Rodriguez Soto is quite fantastic and really is a central character who’s dilemma we can both relate to and cheer for. Her decision, the toughest someone can make, is one that we trust regardless of the direction she goes in. Credit to Soto and Auquer who feel super authentic as a couple. Whatever side of this films central issue you are on I think you will overall be satisfied with how this film is handled.

Our Grade: C+, It’s a good film that fails to reach great heights. One key thing I truly enjoyed here was the visuals in certain spots. Everything turns into some sort of chigiri-e tapestry. These parts are interspersed into the film at certain times. They are, gorgeous, even if they are quite jarring by and large. I think the problem here was too many moving parts. Had they kept this simpler more story based I think it would’ve been fine. As it stands this is just one film in a sea of films about similar topics. Except we get the European perspective.

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