Hijo de Sicario

Of course this is an authentic social drama, but not really crime though, because you won't find here any action and bloody sequences. It is only a psychological and social study of a young boy whose father was a sicario, a hired killer for the Mexican cartels. This movie is not SICARIO, I repeat, nor the adaptation of a Don Winslow's novel. This is not destined to wide audiences, and only selected folks can appreciate such a little gem. I would have prefered another kind of ending. But that remains a beautiful film, splendidly done. I will never see this film again, but don't misunderstand the content of my review. It is worth the discovery. It deserves to be seen. Not a movie produced to make the gross, and that's the most important.

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.

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.

This is a film that let you accompany Sujo on his journey of self determination. From being in danger as a boy due to his father involvement in the Mexican mafia to him being followed by a shadow that looms large over his life. You see this story of a young boy being rescued by women but also by his own good nature. The camera hides with him as he tries to save his life and later on follows him in the countryside, poverty also has beauty through a boy's perspective. What a story, it speaks tons to me. Watched it at Pingyao Film Festival and got the chance to get an autograph from one of the directors. A rare triumph a film full of wisdom.

"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.