Released: 24th June 2020
Length: 100 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Director: Gaspar Antillo
Starring: Jorge Garcia, Millaray Lobos and Luis Gnecco
While many a European production has found its way onto the online streaming platform, nations like Chile are often underrepresented. Nobody Knows I’m Here is an original creation from Latin America that brings a capable effort to the wider world.
We follow the middle-aged Memo (Jorge Garcia) resides on an island with his uncle Braulio. He’s a lonely recluse with next to no social connection in his life. That changes when the seemingly unassuming Marta (Millaray Lobos) starts to connect with him, uncovering his immense talent for singing in the process. As the film goes on, it lays down how and why Memo ended up where he is. The efforts to tug at the audience’s sympathies find much success here; the title serves a dual meaning, representing both the lost fame and the character’s insistence on hiding himself from the world.
In the latter half of the film, this comfortable yet unremarkable life begins to fracture; this swerve drives much of the emotional drama and it takes a clear toll on our protagonist. He starts to grow more frustrated and disgruntled, compelling the audience’s empathy even more. When you look deeper, the film is really about fame, specifically both the fortune and damage it does to those caught up in it; a theme that is constantly on display throughout.
Which brings us to the performances themselves; Jorge Garcia embraces the leading role with a solemn, understated delivery. He rarely speaks through much of the film, which emphasises his shy nature and the emotional baggage he carries. When he finally has the freedom to let his vocal cords loose however, it’s a powerful and rousing performance that reveals the character’s true form. Millaray Lobos is equally great as Marta and the chemistry that forms between them is subtle enough to reach its emotive potential. On the other hand, the side characters are the weakest aspect of the film. Memo’s bond with his uncle is rarely expanded and those connected with modern civilization aren’t given much to do outside of invading the protagonist’s solitary life, making their presence less impactful.
Its story and characters may be minimalistic, but Nobody Knows I’m Here makes full use of its setting and techniques. The island on which Memo lives is small and simple, distinguished by its unkempt interiors and collection of farm animals. The colour red is often used to convey both the glamour of the past and the super-stardom that was never achieved. Many long shots, occasionally taken overhead, highlight the isolation felt by the protagonist. The music is mostly serene and calm to reflect the quiet tone, that is until it breaks into the film’s titular song. Contrasting greatly with the rest of the soundtrack, these moments are phenomenally framed and performed, highlighting how much the track means to Memo himself. You’ll be wowed and then some by the film’s climax.
Its side characters and plot threads may evaporate by the time its final flourish comes to fruition, but Nobody Knows I’m Here is a slow-burning, emotional look at one character’s internal struggle. The main performances are all laced with heart and the way the film portrays the nature of lost opportunity is a constant thematic anchor.
Rating: 4/5 Stars (Great)
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