Isabella

Writer-Director Matias Pinero's ISABELLA centers on a pair of actresses, Mariel (Maria Villar) and Luciana (Augustina Munoz). Who are auditioning for the role of Isabella in Shakespeare's Measure For Measure. Pinero takes an elliptical approach as the story bounces forward and backward in time. There's also an art exhibition involving color hues (particularly purple) and rocks and stones that has been set up as a mental exercise in weighing one's commitment.

It's a puzzle box movie of sorts, but Pinero plays fair with the viewer and gives a very obvious visual cue or two as to when each scene takes place in the timeline. It's also quite a dense project considering it's brief 80 minute run-time. Villar and Munoz are very strong together and you come understand how each of them navigate the constant strain of the choices an actor must make in both their professional and personal lives. It's a heady mix, but, well worth the effort for adventurous viewers. It's quite striking to look at.