Utama

Living a subsistence existence almost 10,000 feet into the Central Andes, the ageing llama tending "Virginio" (José Calcina) and his wife "Sisa" (Luisa Quispe) are beginning to struggle. It hasn't rained for very long time and the local wells have long-since run dry. It is "Sisa" who is charged with fetching the water, but with the journey to the lake now really beyond her strengths, the community are going to have to combine their resources if they are to water both their herds and themselves - or perhaps consider relocating to the towns where their skills would be redundant. This couple have a son, but he left to go to the city and they never see him. They do, however, see their grandson "Clever" (Santos Choque) now and again, but they always believe his visits are more out of duty than anything else. It is on one such visit that "Virginio" starts to show signs of sickness. He collapses whilst managing their flock and then resolutely refuses to consult an expensive physician. Indeed, he begins to think of his next life beyond the lake and of his wife having to accompany him. It's this clash of cultures and attitudes that pitches the two generations into a conflict that is gently and stubbornly, but lovingly, played out. The photography of some beautifully pristine locations effectively illustrates the loneliness and isolation of their homeland, but it also shows us their satisfaction with their simple lives where nothing much ever changes from year to year except, crucially, the climate. They can hear the rumbles of thunder over the snow-capped mountaintops, but there is no rain for them as the wind blows relentlessly. It's a gentle observation of a traditional way of life and of love that is steadily, but certainly, dying out.

"Utama" is an awe-inspiring Bolivian drama that takes viewers on a breathtaking journey through the mystical Andes. Directed by Alejandro Loayza Grisi, the film tells the poignant story of an elderly couple living in solitude, deeply connected to their ancestral roots and traditional way of life.

What sets "Utama" apart is its ability to convey a compelling narrative with minimal dialogue, relying instead on the majestic landscapes and powerful visual storytelling to evoke emotions. The cinematography captures the raw beauty of the Andean region, immersing the audience in its mesmerizing grandeur.

The performances of the lead actors, who are non-professionals from the indigenous community, are exceptional. Their chemistry and genuine portrayal of the couple's enduring love and unwavering devotion leave a profound impact on the audience.

Throughout the film, themes of cultural identity, tradition, and the struggle for survival intertwine seamlessly, making it a compelling exploration of the indigenous way of life in a rapidly changing world.

"Utama" is not just a film; it is an immersive experience that elicits a wide range of emotions. It takes us on a rollercoaster ride of joy, sorrow, and contemplation, leaving us with a deeper understanding of the value of heritage and the passage of time.

The hauntingly beautiful score perfectly complements the visuals, further intensifying the emotional resonance of the narrative. It is a testament to the filmmakers' artistry in crafting an immersive and emotionally charged cinematic experience.

In essence, "Utama" is a soul-stirring film that transcends cultural boundaries and serves as a celebration of the human spirit. It reminds us of the profound connection between people and their land, urging us to cherish and preserve our cultural heritage in an ever-changing world.

In conclusion, "Utama" is a masterful work of cinematic art, capturing the essence of the Andean culture and its inseparable link to nature. A must-watch for cinephiles and anyone seeking a deeply moving and visually captivating cinematic experience.

Saw this back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival

Director Alejandro Loayza Grisi clearly is passionate with this movie. Many signs of beautiful camerawork is displayed, extremely beautiful sound design and the performances from actors Jose Calcina and Luisa Quispe are really good. However dull pacing and uneven tones struggle to maintain this movie. Clearly there's a lot to present as Grisi tries his best to present a slow burn yet memorizing narrative throughout but the dullness doesn't do much justice to keep it engaging.

This is pretty good. The three significant actors are all subtle and excellent, the shots of the Bolivian high altitude desert are stunning and the view into a completely different world is fascinating. As for the pacing, it would be easy to say it's slow, but this is not a long film and when dealing with issues like these, it's not dramatic events that count, but the slow changes caused to the daily routine by weather and health.

An old couple farming llamas for wool among the Bolivian Andes are struggling to survive because of a prolonged drought. All their water must be fetched in buckets from a river miles away. The old man's health is failing and their grandson comes to stay, hoping to persuade them to return with him to the city. Like their children, many neighbours have given up the grim struggle and departed, but how can they bring themselves to leave the remote and beautiful wilderness which is all they have ever known?

It could have been better done by giving a fuller picture of their daily life, particularly the woman's tasks, to replace some of the many shots of llama herding. What do they eat? Where does it come from and how is it prepared? And so on. Also I found the ending improbable, given what had gone before and this was likely just a symbolic repetition of a message which had already been made very clear. Something more practical would have worked better for me.

Utama. Reminds me of several others from the region (south america; focus tribes) when it comes to styling and scripting. This one however, has more dialogue than i expected. Not sure if there is a genre name that this follows; this style is not unique to utama. But i feel utama polishes it more and makes it more palpable for the masses.

This is a slow movie in which nothing really happens. It is day in day out with nothing of any highlight occurring. Yet you cannot stop watching. The movie focuses you where it wants you; look at the llamas. The llamas each have ribbons on them. Look at the llama keepers hand, here, we show you the hand. It directs you where it wants you every scene. And i find this brilliant because it does not let your mind wander but rather focuses it on each elements. The scenes are also long cut so that your eyes can look around and just see things without missing anything. And there's plenty of details to look at, even if the setting is a highland desert that is quite barren.

Each scene is drawn out and sets a mood and tone; not that either changes throughout but it highlights it. You get a good sense of the environment and characters. I mentioned there is more dialogue than i expected, yet such is still very scant. The movie paints itself using camera angles and visuals rather than words. It is a captive way to tell it's story and one that is rather effective.

Beyond the style, this is a bit of a generational story; young vs old, new way of life vs old way of life. It is not an original story by any means but it is done in a different way that blends in local customs into it while explaining them, keeping it more interesting than one would give it credit for.

There is a lot to like here but there is also some questionable trend with sound effects. Many scenes have a very loud background drone that doesn't always fit. Most scenes have a very loud breathing overlay which gets old but i understand why they did it. At the same time they overdid it and it feels out of place and even clashes with some plot elements later on. Every sound effect is overly pronounced and loud, from footsteps to jugs rattling. A more subdued VFX would have been welcomed here.

Other than that this is very good. As long as you understand what this movie is.. it is a drama but not typical drama. Quite refreshing experience from the run of the mill script.

7\10 the old cannot win vs the new. It is the cycle of life.