-Written by Michelle Vorob.
REINAS is a film by Klaudia Reynicke, which takes place in Lima [Peru], set amidst the terrorist uprisings by Shining Path in 1992. People are facing hyperinflation, food shortages, power outages, bombings, and mass unemployment. Everyone is living under Martial law, with a nightly curfew. Might I add, I had no idea what to expect, as I went into this movie with no information [as I prefer to do]. These events came as a surprise, but also did not inform me as to what type of movie REINAS is.
The story opens with Carlos (Gonzalo Molina), driving a passenger in his taxi, talking about how he's an actor, but is doing this to make ends meet. Where or what are the REINAS? It seems like Carlos’ movie. We then shortly see a family celebrating at home, when Carlos shows up to visit. You see, the REINAS are Carlos’ estranged daughters, teen Aurora (Luana Vega), who is celebrating her birthday, and younger Lucia (Abril Gjurinovic). Carlos seems genuine and happy to see them and affectionately calls them his REINAS, but they are slow to warm to him, as he clearly has not lived with them or seen them in quite some time.
Elena (Jimena Lindo), the girls’ mother, is gracious and welcomes Carlos in. They clearly have been separated for a while, but before long, he's socializing with his former brothers-in-law and telling everyone stories of adventure. Before leaving, Carlos asks the girls if they would like to do something in the next few days, and they make plans to go to the beach. Elena reminds him that she needs him to sign legal papers, in order for her to take the girls to the U.S., as she has a new job waiting in Minnesota, in just a few days. She wants to get her girls away from there. Carlos promises he will meet her at the notary office soon, but wants to focus on spending time with the girls first.
What unfolds in REINAS is a poignant and very relatable story about two girls who want to reconnect with an absentee father, a man struggling at rock bottom who loves his family, and a woman trying to do what's best for her daughters, all while their home is in literal upheaval.
As with other films that have really resonated with me, the acting and dialogue was so natural, I felt I was watching an honest, real story and that made it very easy to relate to these characters and feel for each of them. I will say, I also related on a personal level, in respect to having been a child of divorce and not seeing my father as much as I needed to. The world sometimes felt like it was in upheaval. For Aurora, Lucia, Carlos, and Elena, it quite literally is.
REINAS, released here as QUEENS, is currently in select theaters and film festivals.
Directed by Klaudia Reynicke.
Written by Klaudia Reynicke & Diego Vega.
Starring Luana Vega, Abril Gjurinovic, Gonzalo Molina, Jimena Lindo, Susi Sanchez, etc.
8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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