news
Oblivion, an excerpt

Oblivion (El Olvido) is Heddy Honigmann’s tribute to the working people of her hometown, Lima, Peru. In a quiet, intimate, and at times heartbreaking way, she gives us a glimpse into the lives of street performers, waiters, shoe-shiners and others who are just barely getting by. What makes the film unique is that it treats its subject—and its subjects—cinematically. Composing wide shots, tracking her subjects and using non-sync sound are all techniques that might be more commonly associated with narrative film. Honigmann incorporates these techniques in her style and draws us into the world she portrays.

In this sequence, which ends the film, we follow sisters who perform gymnastics for small change at a busy intersection. The sequence has a certain beauty—we marvel at the girls’ talents as the headlights of the cars become their stage lights. Yet, there is also a pervasive sense of unease; we know from earlier in the film that the girls lost one of their other sisters at this very intersection when a car runs a red light. Here, a police siren alerts us to the danger. As the filmmaker follows the girls weaving in and out of traffic, a shiver goes down our spine. When is the light going to change?

~ Mattie Akers

Clip courtesy of Icarus Films.

No Comments | Share: Facebook Favicon LinkedIn Favicon StumbleUpon Favicon TwitThis Favicon

share your thoughts

Name:

Email: