Sujo

I got the opportunity to watch Sujo online at Sundance. It's by far the best one I saw throughout the fest! A shame I couldn't catch tickets earlier.

It tells the story of a boy, Sujo growing up in the Mexican countryside. His father is killed, he is a member of a cartel and Sujo manages to survive and grows up with his aunt Nemesia. There in the isolation he builds up his moral character and a fear of becoming his father. As he gets into adolescence the cartels catch up with him and his two best friends so he flees to the city in search of a different life.

No cheap thrills here, pure cinema at its best. In its core it is a Bildungsroman, a character study that let us see the consequences of the drug wars in the new generations. Dickensian in the mix of tools they used to achieve closeness with Sujo.

Stunning actors, stunning cinematography and score.

A coming of age masterpiece!

Sujo is a film that I went into with no expectations and no knowledge of the story. I left the theater having seen a masterpiece. A film that portrays the solitude of a boy born broken, born with a curse that couldn't be removed. The passion of building a better life brought down by the life he was born into.

Stunning cinematography and amazing acting elevate the story into its own world. The child actors especially surprised me with their talent, a quiet role is often the hardest to play. The sound design is one element of the film that especially blew me away. Little details are heard in amazing quality, loud sounds are sparse but powerful. The film is told mostly from Sujo's perspective, isolating the audience and providing a terrifying realistic look at a life many of us do not get to see.

9/10.

"SUJO" is a masterful blend of compelling storytelling and mesmerizing visuals. The film's brisk pace keeps the audience engaged, while the stunning cinematography by Ximena Amann paints a vivid and atmospheric backdrop. Each frame is a work of art, capturing the essence of Sujo's world with remarkable detail and authenticity.

Juan Jesús Varela delivers a tour-de-force performance as Sujo, bringing depth and nuance to a complex and emotionally wrought character. Varela's performance captures the full range of Sujo's emotions, from the innocence of his childhood to the hardened resolve of his adulthood.

More than a gripping family tragedy, "SUJO" is a powerful indictment of violence and its devastating impact on society. The film unflinchingly confronts the brutal realities of life in a world ruled by cartels, offering a glimpse into the human cost of violence.

"SUJO" is a cinematic triumph that deserves to be seen by a wide audience. The film's powerful message, stunning visuals, and exceptional performances make it an unforgettable and thought-provoking experience.

This film is a very delicate portrait of a young man that was born in a very difficult reality: gang violence in Mexico. The boy becomes an orphan when his father, a murderer himself, is killed. He grows up under his shadow but taken care by many different characters that help him overcome many obstacles. Is he the master of his destiny? Or is he a servant of an impending fate?. A man is self made or is he just his past and context?. This film doesn't provide answers but raises a very powerful question that really resonates. Beautifully crafted, powerful performances and a mysterious namesake, Sujo. Must see. Watched at 2024 HKIFF.

There are moments of greatness in this so called movie, because is not a movie is a great documentary.

Wonderful actors so natural and lovely photography not without mention the excellent direction. This filming work is far beyond (almost all the time), of narco cliches even though it's a narco bloody culture story.

A portrait of a mexican youth in poverty condition. The destiny of millions. At least 50% of young people in Mexico faces the most horrible face of being a second, third or fourth citizen class and further more: a no class citizen.

I appreciate that every day the Mexican cinematography enthusiasts became in filmmakers, increasing their talent and show it to the world.