LITIGANTE

Colombia, 2019, 93 minutes, Colour.
Carolina Sanin, Leticia Gomez, Antonio Martinez, Alejandra Sarria, David Roa, Jorge Carreno.
Directed by Franco Lolli.

A film written by women (with French background), about strong women and their interactions, life-and-death situations. This is a serious film. It is also a sombre film in its seriousness – although there are some moments of lightness, touches of humour.

It is also a film from Latin America, from Colombia, set in Bogota. However, as audiences watch the women and their situations, it is really a universal story and could be taking place and any big city around the world. Audiences can identify with the women, although at many moments this is rather difficult, and can appreciate the continued hardships and challenges.

The litigant a of the title is a middle-aged woman, Silvia (a convincing if sometimes alienating performance by Carolina Sanin) – although her litigation is in the background, her profession as a consultant concerning allotting of government contracts, officials finding that some of the business activity contravened the law, her eventually being brought to court. Rather, in the foreground, immediately from the opening sequences of the film, she is in a contentious relationship with her mother. She loves her mother. Her mother loves her. But it is an extraordinarily harsh bickering relationship, mother criticising her daughter continually, daughter trying her best to support her mother prone to outbursts of exasperation.

Her mother, Leticia (Leticia Gomez) is having an MRI. We learn that she has undergone chemotherapy in the past, the doctor advising that her cancer is now terminal, advising more chemotherapy. Many audiences will identify with this central issue of the film: acceptance of terminal cancer, the reluctance to accept the doctor’s verdict by other members of the family, the urging of chemotherapy and the reluctance of the person with the cancer to undergo all the pain and discomfort of the treatment, the loss of quality of life. To that extent, this film is well worth seeing and responding to its dilemmas.

There is also a complication that Silvia is a single mother, Antonio her five-year-old son quite a bright spark, devoted to his mother, loving his grandmother, also his aunt, Silvia’s younger sister, Maria José, who continually helps during her mother’s illness. At home, is a boarder, Sergio, a very sympathetic, a gay man. Silvia is obviously not into relationships but after a hostile interview from the media, she encounters the interviewer at a party, rebukes him but then is attracted and they begin a relationship, he quite a genial and supportive man, she being a mixture of responsive and brittle, treating him very badly.

The film opened Critics Week at Cannes 2019 to favourable reviews but, a number noted that commercially it would be a hard sell. This is true. However, for audiences who want substantial drama, significant personal and family issues, it is well worthwhile.

1. The title? Silvia? Her profession, the court case? Her personal life, the struggles with her mother?

2. A film written by women? Women as the central characters? Strong women? The men, mostly in the background, supporting characters?

3. The city of Bogota, homes, hospital, business, media, the courts? The musical score?

4. The sombre tone of the film, its themes, terminal cancer, chemotherapy and decisions, parents and children, healthcare, single mothers, professional mothers, bringing up children, relationships, business corruption, litigation?

5. The immediate impact, sombre, Silvia with her mother, the doctor and the opinions, cancer, spreading, previous chemotherapy, the MRI? Her mother’s decisions? Silvia and her care, the burdens, the help from her sister?

6. Silvia, her age, character, strong-minded, her relationship with her mother, continued bickering, memories of her father and his death, her mother faithful but hating her husband, wanting her mother to be healed, not listening to her mother’s choices, moving in with her mother, the continued care, shared with her sister? Silvia and her professional life? Her skills, business, government, contracts, her boss, the arguments, her resigning? Taken to court, pleading not guilty? The reliance on her lawyer? Her love for her son, the mystery of his paternity? The meeting with Beniamino, the contract between them, the secrecy, her son asking about his father, her decision to tell him? The interview with Abel, antagonistic, encountering him at the party, the attack, the attraction, dancing, the relationship, his looking after her, her moodiness, the breakoff? Upset at her being ignored at his party? Sergio, gay friend, sharing the apartment, his help with the family?

7. Leticia, her age, her cancer, the MRI, her cantankerous nature, continued criticisms, bickering with her daughter? The doctor and advice, not wanting chemotherapy? Going out with her family, enjoying Antonio’s company, Maria José and her devotion? The continued arguments and criticisms of Silvia? The background of her marriage, cantankerous with her husband, yet staying with him to his death? Her reaction to Abel and disliking him? Liking Sergio? The serious deterioration of her health, her hair being cut, able to eat, unable to eat, taking to her bed, in the corridor and her fall, wetting herself? The pathos of the last encounter with Silvia? The suddenness of her death, stopping breathing?

8. Antonio, his age, a playful little boy, with his single mother, at school, fighting and the discussions with the principal, at home, articulate, his games, the bond with Sergio, with Abel? Questions about his father? His devotion to his grandmother and her care? Devotion to his aunt?

9. Maria José, younger daughter, her life and work, devotion to her mother, helping Silvia? Moments of exasperation? Continued support?

10. Sergio, in the house with Silvia, care, gay man?

11. Abel, journalist, the interview, aggressive criticism of Silvia, the encounter at the party, her cold reaction, the dancing, attraction, starting the relationship? Abel as genial, supporting Silvia? The party, his friends, her feeling ignored, abrupt break up? His continued support, at her mother’s funeral, in the court, driving Silvia and Antonio from the court? The future?

12. Beniamino, older, giving legal advice, the enigmatic aspects of Antonio’s paternity, the secrecy, contract, Silvia wanting to tell her son the truth?

13. Leticia and the deterioration of her health, with the doctor, the chemotherapy and its results, her hair, Maria José cutting her hair, the daughters moving in to look after her, the suddenness of her death? The sadness of her funeral?

14. A portrait of ordinary people, in the city, Columbia, universal story and characters?