Directed by Laura Casabe
Written by Laura Casabe and Lisandro Colaberardino
Starring Alberto Ajaka, Edgardo Castro, Javier Drolas
Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes
Appeared at Final Girls Berlin Film Festival

by Victoria Potenza, Staff Writer

One aspect of the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival that is so amazing is the diverse amount of films available from all around the world. Having access to these international films, especially those of the horror genre is such an interesting way to learn about cultural struggles, history, and folklore. So having the chance to see Los Que Vuelven aka The Returned was a glimpse into Argentinian history and horror like none I have seen before.

Writer-director Laura Casabe conjures a tale that takes place in 1919 Argentina. There is much political unrest between the Guarani tribe and the death, destruction, and displacement of their people. Julia (María Soldi) is the wife of a wealthy lord Mariano (Alberto Ajaka). When one of their workers comes back with completely black eyes and lunges at their young boy Manuel, they tie him up and eventually kill him. This strange event is only the beginning as the darkness of the forest around them begins to close in and invade their lives. A secret that Julia harbors involving their housekeeper Kerena seems to be at the center of it all and the past has come back to haunt them.

One of the strongest aspects of the film is the strong anti-imperialist theme that runs throughout it. The main characters represent different archetypes of imperialism: the slave-owning lord working to make as much money off the natural resources of the land as he can; a man who hunts down the workers who have run away; the godly man Pedro (Javier Drolas) who is meant to teach the indigenous people the right religion and life to lead. the lord’s wife who shows no sympathy for the plight of the tribe and uses them as she sees fit. These characters literally take what they want from these people and we see the blatant disregard they have for the people and their land. These are the true horror aspects of the film even with the additional supernatural elements that come into play later.

The film does have an interesting narrative structure, being separated into three separate parts, the second of which shows the audience events that took place a year prior. While it works overall for the story and its eventual climax, it does mean the audience is questioning where the film is going for most of the first half. It also made me wish I knew more about the tribe and upheaval happening in Argentina at the time. Much of the discussions that the lords and his business associates talk about is hard to follow considering that much of their goals have to do with harvesting the land for yerba mate, naturally caffeinated leaves used for a special tea. While some of this is not entirely essential to the main plot it would be nice to have more of a background. Though I find this to be more of an opportunity to educate myself and learn about the country and culture I am watching than anything problematic with the film itself.

The filmmaking is incredible. Most of the film takes place on the land that Julia and her husband live on which is entirely surrounded by a deep forest. The colors of the land and the surroundings from the mountains to the waterfalls are breathtaking. The music and sound help to elevate the situations we see the characters in as there are usually constant whispers we can hear. They also make the choice to only subtitle the Spanish used in the film, not the dialogue that the indigenous people are using. Although it is not entirely clear why this is done, it does make more of a disconnect whereas the viewer cannot be totally included in their discussions. Many of these filmmaking choices are interesting and elevate the general tone and feel of the film.

The horror elements of the film are fascinating. This reviewer would not want to give too many details of the film away but the supernatural elements feel unique to anything I have seen before. It does not rely on a simple ghost, vampire, or zombie narrative. This is another area that would be fascinating to explore considering how little I know about folklore from Argentina. There is something relatable and human about them that makes us sympathize with their plight. At the core of the film is also the plight of mothers. Julia has given birth to multiple babies that die, her desperation to have a child and an heir compared with the plight of the indigenous mothers is an interesting comparison and one that both divides them and brings them together.

The Returned is a horror film that I have never seen the likes of before. Laura Casabé proves herself to be a talented director and storyteller and we can only hope that this film becomes more available to the general public.