MOVIE REVIEW
Sica
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 31m
Director(s): Carla Subirana
Writer(s): Carla Subirana
Cast: Thais García Blanco, Núria Prims, Marco Antonio Florido Añón, María Villaverde Ameijeiras, Lois Soaxe, Toni Porras
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Where To Watch: opens exclusively at the Cinema Village in New York on July 19, 2024, and the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles on July 26, with more cities to follow. Part of the Latin & Spanish Film Showcase; for more information, visit www.outsiderpictures.us
RAVING REVIEW: As a director, Carla Subirana's first solo feature film outing takes us to the hauntingly picturesque Costa da Morte in Galicia with her film SICA. It's a visual feast, shot on 16mm film that captures the rugged, untamed beauty of the landscape—a stark departure from the sleek digital look that dominates today's cinema. This aesthetic choice does more than set the scene; it amplifies the film’s central themes of resilience and loss, making the visuals a narrative force in their own right.
SICA follows the emotional and physical journey of its young protagonist, Sica (Thais Garcia,) as she navigates a world fraught with danger in search of clues about her father’s mysterious disappearance. Her journey is mirrored by Suso (Marco Antonio Florido), whose path crosses Sica’s in a tale of shared isolation and deep connection to the wild environment around them. This duo's evolving relationship is a bright spot in a community marked by indifference and occasional hostility.
Subirana’s previous work with documentary filmmaking enriches the narrative, bringing an acute awareness of the community's socio-economic and environmental troubles. The fishing industry, once the community's lifeline, is teetering on the brink of collapse, painting a vivid backdrop of ecological and economic turmoil that fuels the film’s undercurrents of desperation and sorrow.
The film’s cinematography and eerie score intensify the atmospheric tension. These elements merge to craft a mesmerizing journey that faithfully captures the majestic yet menacing essence of the Galician coast. García delivers a compelling performance as Sica, infusing the film with authenticity and emotional depth. Núria Prims as Carmen and Marco Antonio Florido’s portrayal of Suso support her with performances that bring additional layers of complexity.
At its heart, SICA is a profound exploration of the relationship between humans and their environment. It portrays the sea as both a giver and a taker of life. This dichotomy reflects Sica's evolving relationship with the ocean, which transforms from a place of fear to one of potential answers and reconciliation.
Subirana's choice to employ 16mm film and cast local non-professionals adds a depth that underscores the film's exploration of loss, ecological struggle, and the erosion of cultural traditions within a fishing community. These themes are subtly integrated into the story, setting SICA up as a poignant reflection on the impacts of climate change and economic instability.
SICA concludes as a resonant narrative that extends beyond its runtime, blending documentary realism with narrative fiction to create a powerful cinematic experience. The film cements Subirana’s place as a filmmaker of note. It offers audiences a profoundly moving exploration of grief, resilience, and human connection to nature, prompting reflection on the enduring ties between people and their environments.
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[photo courtesy of OUTSIDER PICTURES]
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