Quemar las Naves / Burn the Bridges, 2007 Mexico
Spanish with English Subtitles
This film follows the life of Helena (Irene Azuela) and Sebastian (Ángel Onésimo Nevárez), who are teenagers dealing with the painful reality of facing the last few weeks of their mother’s life. Their mother (played by great actress Claudette Maille) is dying of cancer. But the story doesn’t end there, the way the siblings deal with this tormenting experience is what makes the film. While Helena brackets her life in the presence of her mother, falling for her brother, Sebastian is distracted by a bad boy named Juan (Bernardo Benitez). In the meantime, there is the protector Ismael (Ramón Valdes) who is in love with both Helena and Sebastian.
With a crazy multi-plot, coupled with an amazing soundtrack and the beautiful town of Zacatecas, this film becomes intoxicatingly addictive. The lead actors give memorable performances. The director’s delicate balance of tradition and modern life in current day Mexico makes for not just plausible feast but an enjoyable one. It is a shame that such a great film did not garner the widespread attention that it so deserves!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
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