WOW FILM FESTIVAL: VALLEY OF SOULS | REVIEW
Dir: Nicolás Rincón Gille (2019, 137 mins)
A trip on a river is undertaken, but this isn’t one of pleasure and relaxation. It’s a voyage of exploration and discovery, not of wonder and excitement but of deep sorrow and grim resignation. José, a fisherman played by José Arley de Jesús Carvallido Lobo, is returning home with that night’s catch when he comes upon an all-too real and deadly occurrence: local paramilitary United Self-Defenders Of Colombia (AUC) rounding up groups of men. José waits until they leave and arrives back home at dawn, calling for his children, but gets only one response.
When a sobbing Carmen tells him her brothers Dionisio and Rafael were taken by the paramilitaries, he knows their fate and what he must do. After praying to Anthony, patron saint of the poor and the lost, José begins his journey to locate his sons’ bodies and give them a burial so their souls will find peace and not wander the earth. Some people plead with the grieving father not to continue, for removing bodies from the river brings a death sentence to those who disobey the murderers. Others deceive, mock and toy with the fisherman, yet he finds assistance elsewhere, at great danger to all involved. His strong Catholic faith sustains him, moving him on even when faced with dying.
Director Nicolás Rincón Gille has given Colombians who’ve lost their loved ones from the civil wars a voice with his first non-documentary film. Multi-award-winning and profoundly moving, Valley Of Souls is languidly paced, lengthy but riveting, especially during its second half. Despite the storyline, the violence happens offscreen. The Magdalena River is the primary waterway in the country and a principal character here: the river that supplied food to José and his family also offers up bodies of the wronged. The theme reminds one of Orpheus and Eurydice; likewise, the Magdalena’s role in this film recalls three of the five underworld rivers in Greek mythology. José ventures underwater into the Styx to search for his sons; Acheron is the river of woe, Lethe the river of concealment. You may find yourself crying out to him “Don’t look back, go home!”
There’s no soundtrack in Valley Of Souls, the only music occasionally coming from radios or CD players in the villages. It jars against the sounds of birdlife along the riverway and the flowing current. The river scenery is mostly lush and tranquil, belying what the water is being used for and what will wash up onto its shores.
José Arley de Jesús Carvallido Lobo, a non-professional in his first role, doesn’t have much dialogue but lets his body reflect what he has to say. He goes about his quest in a quiet, determined way; his face mostly stoic, unbelievingly showing no trace of hate or vengeance. There’s a shocking scene towards the end that seems out of character, but you hope he finds the peace so many of Colombia’s victims and survivors have not.
Available to watch as part of the Wales One World Film Festival until Sat 20 Mar. Info and streaming: here. Currently sold out in advance.
words RHONDA LEE REALI