„Chicas Tristes“ (Sad Girlz) by Fernanda Tovar tells the story of overwhelming sadness and feelings of powerlessness after rape. Visually stunning, the film does not focus on the assault itself, but rather on its impact on the victim and those close to her. Paula (Darana Álvarez) and Maestra (Rocio Guzmán) are best friends, both members of a swimming team. When Paula is raped by a teammate at a New Year’s Eve party, the relationship between the two friends changes abruptly.
The director portrays the friendship between the two teenagers with great empathy. True to the real dynamics between best friends, the director captures the beauty of female friendship. The film does not show the cruelty of violence but gives hope and clings to the beautiful things, just as Paula and Maestra cling to each other. Even if it is not always easy to support each other, especially because the two disagree on what to do after the crime. Maestra is overwhelmed; she wants to help Paula, but doesn’t know how to do so without going against Paula’s will. Maestra feels a deep incomprehension about how someone can inflict violence without harming themselves. This incomprehension gives rise to a deep anger. An anger about how someone can violate another person’s physical integrity for their own satisfaction.The act of violence is not shown explicitly. In this way, the film tells of a silent, not always visible violence. From the beginning, a feeling of everyday life is established through long, silent shots and everyday conversations. Because an act of violence like the one that happened to Paula, is an everyday occurrence. The film has a calmness about it, giving the protagonists time to come to terms with the assault for themselves. We realize what has happened together with Paula. In no scene does the film attempt to dramatize the violence or use it for the sake of suspense. The director works a lot with silence. The silent shots often say more than the dialogue and give the audience space for their own thoughts. Every image is meaningful; the director skillfully addresses themes not only through plot and dialogue, but also through the images. Through mirrors, shop windows, and the water, there is so much more to see in the frame than what is being filmed. The bright colors and visually appealing images underscore the fact that sexual violence does not have to look brutal to be brutal. The girls live a happy life; they have each other and enjoy swimming, but the assault triggers a deep sadness. The question arises:“What is the reason behind the sadness in girls, even if it is hidden? So, you would start watching the film and see happy girls, and would wonder what is going on. And then you begin understanding the reason behind a hidden sadness of women in general.“ (Fernanda Tovar) The film does not attempt to find a solution to the sadness, but rather establishes it as a constant in our patriarchal world. Despite the sadness, the film focuses on friendship and how much joy it brings Paula and Maestra. I think it’s great that the film sticks to this element instead of focusing on the violence. The Film doesn’t give any space to the rapist. He committed this act of violence and otherwise he plays no role. Because he represents many young men who do not accept boundaries. Young men who are not necessarily violent. Who are allowed by society to act without fear of consequences. Behind this is not one person who breaks out, but a system. A system in which women’s self-determination is not taken seriously, a system in which so much invisible violence takes place. Even though the film tells an individual story, it speaks of a universal problem.
One element that accompanies the entire film is water. Both of them enjoy swimming and feel comfortable in the swimming team. Paula is robbed of this safe space when a colleague from the team turns out to be the perpetrator. Water is fluid and always in motion; you can swim in it or drown in it. After the assault, when Paula is back in the water for the first time, she gets a cramp and threatens to sink. After that, she starts skipping swimming practice. She only comes into contact with water again when she and Maestra are high. In the small plastic pool on her roof, Paula approaches the water again for the first time. Gradually, she dares to go further and further into the water. Together with Maestra, Paula manages to continue swimming. The water accompanies Paula as she processes the assault. The assault is never questioned; the question of guilt is clear. It is not about who is to blame, because the film leaves no doubt about that, but about how the girls deal with it. “Chicas Tristes” manages to capture in images what is otherwise difficult to put into words. A film that touches you deeply and makes you feel that you are not alone.
„Chicas Tristes“, a poem by Charlie
swimming, swimming in emotions
first joy, fun, exuberance
Support
support in friendship
swimming
diving, diving in emotions
deeper, deeper
i said no, no
doesnt no mean no ?
diving deeper, deeper
fear, slight glimpse of hope ?
help, friendship
hope
diving, rising, higher
gasping for air, surfacing
one misstep
A mistake
A misunderstanding, selfish ?
wanted to help, but now guilt
drowning, drowning in emotions
fear, sadness, guilt
left alone, alone, retrieve
guilt, loss, disappointment
drowning
breathing
one glance, thousand words
hope, air, understanding
silent understanding
friendship
breathing
