Mermaids' Lament

If you're a fan of Eliseo Subiela's Man Facing Southeast, you'll love this film as well. This isn't The Little Mermaid. No cute lovey dovey junior high sentiments. It deals with suicide, anxiety, trauma and possibly rape, but it does so with hope always in the periphery in the form of mermaids. And the ocean, can be perceived as both threatening and a sanctuary. As Evan Dossey of the Midwest Film Journal writes, "The seas play a pivotal role, both symbolic and literal, for both of the women, and it's by far the most successful element of his film." Storytelling is most powerful when it embraces its mythological roots with metaphor and allegory, and Mermaids' Lament embraces that past fully.

Hope you enjoy the experience.

Mermaid's Lament is a very compelling film. I couldn't look away. The cinematography is so beautiful, the story is delightful, the characters are believable. We found ourselves cheering for both the main characters. Our commitment to the characters was richly rewarded in the end.

For me it has just the right balance of light and dark scenes. It's a remarkably good movie and I hope you go see it.

It's an independent film located in Hawaii, which made it extra fun to watch. GB Hajim has hit it out of the park on this film, and both Dayva Escobar and Justina Mattos show a surprising depth of character and maturity in their roles.

A throughly magical film, Mermaids' Lament carries you into two women's search for life balance after trauma. You see plenty of mermaids, the depths of their ocean and its beauty: and you see the two women, each also finding what she needs in the sea. The drama is fast moving with just enough time in fascinating situations for you to be drawn into the action and to wonder how those mesmerizing effects happened. The answer is: sensational camera work in the natural world. This, combined with transporting music, excellent color resolution, and the compelling story, bring an extraordinary adventure to the screen.

The movie is also a tribute to the beauty of a small town in Hawaii, and the people who live there and appreciate both the land and the surrounding sea. Caring for each other and the place they all live is vitally important. They are mindful that nothing is taken for granted, nothing in life guaranteed and protecting the land and sea, each doing what he can, helps bring a better future to all, even mermaids.

This movie is breathtaking in its ability to covey trauma, struggle, transformation and joy.

With stunning visuals, rare and immersive acting talent, precise and compassionate directing, and most amazingly, few words needed.

The acting and directing are on par with any big budget movie out there, the cinematography is on point, and the locations around Hawaii island (above and below the waves) are stunning

There is also a strong environmental message that struck a personal emotional chord, the need to care for the abuse of our planet is in itself a response to human suffering and trauma

It is perfection.

From the gentle symbolisms such as Oees early encounter with a fellow escaped captive and stranger in a stranger land, to her fascination with the umbrella constantly seeking to fly free as Oee longed to do with a return to the sea this movie spoke volumes. Amazing to pull this off with only 2 characters and very little dialog but pull it off they did!

The issues faced by both characters seem insurmountable which makes the ending that much more beautiful and touching.

If you're looking for a movie that is alive with feeling and connections, between both people and this earth we live on this is a must see.