People from the Road

Set in a community of project houses, Iris, a young woman with a tough past, meets Renata and feels immediately attracted to her. A tender coming of age story about friendship and first love in a hostile environment.

Nancy works cleaning houses in a small coastal town, marked by its beauty and the transformation it undergoes at the end of the summer. Juan, whom she meets at work, will soon jeopardize her fragile emotional state and even her own job, leading her to do the unthinkable.

It is no coincidence that the second feature by Argentinian Melisa Liebenthal begins with a quote from “Duino Elegies” by Rilke, who was concerned with existential angst. And, more prosaically, Marina, the film’s young protagonist, is faced with similar anxiety. In fact, her problem is her face. One morning, she discovers her face has changed, and she can no longer recognise herself. Not even her mother can, who bumps into her on the street and says hello to her like she would to any stranger (deadpan, surreal humor is part of the film’s recipe). Marina is thus forced to confront her identity: who is she? Is she determined by her parent’s DNA or by her ID card? Can she be identified by a family portrait, by biometrics or the love of those around her, including her Colombian boyfriend? Is she prettier now?

In 2006 Santiago, 16-year-old Antonia defies her single mother in search of her absentee father, hoping to secure permission for a school trip to Argentina. Along the way, she reconnects with a half-sister she never knew and ultimately learns that her mother’s love may be the only anchor she needs.

Somewhere in Argentina: as an eclipse of the sun is predicted and the surrounding forest continues to be devastated by logging, only a few women and a little boy are left to fend for themselves. When everything collapses, one clings to the slightest hint of vitality.

Amalia arrives at Olga’s house to celebrate her birthday. At the party, they discuss taboo subjects: one’s daughter is dating a bisexual boy, while the other’s granddaughter sells erotic content online. Uncomfortable, Amalia seizes an opportunity to leave. Back home, she reveals her best kept secret.