By Rachel Galvin
Mired in the societal muck surrounding them in their small Venezuelan pueblo, two brothers aim to find a way out in the movie “The Shadow of the Sun,” directed by Miguel Angel Ferrer. But, for this dynamic duo, the journey toward freedom seems impossible. The odds are clearly stacked against them, and the further they go, the harder it becomes. Older brother, Leo (played by Carlos Manuel González) hustles all he can to make a buck after losing his job, squirreling away his funds into a broken-down couch he often sleeps upon. He works hard to take care of his deaf younger brother, a responsibility he took on after his parents passed away. This is much to the chagrin of his nagging jealous wife, who doesn’t give him a moment to breathe with her constant accusations and mockery. The brother, Alex (played by Anyelo López in his first role) is constantly harassed by punk kids, bullies who shake him down for money or deliver him a beating. Leo finds he has to deal with them as well.
A ray of hope comes in the form of a flyer talking about a singing competition. Alex pleads with Leo to join in. He hesitates but soon agrees, and goes about reconnecting with old musician buddies from his past to form a group and take the contest head-on and hopefully win. But this effort is not so easy. He meets challenge after challenge.
This is a story of tenacity and grit, of brotherhood, and the spirit of survival. Leo puts up a brave front, leading with his heart, but he is broken inside from a hidden pain he carries. Alex wears his heart on his sleeve, still spurred on with unyielding optimism despite the dark forces all around him. When truths are revealed on both sides, it only brings them closer together. But can they push back against the darkness and accomplish something so brilliant that even the sun will pale in comparison? Will they relish in triumph or sink in defeat?
The film keeps you rooting them forward from start to finish. It takes you into a world of poverty and desperation, not often captured on the silver screen, set amid the natural beauty of Venezuelan landscapes. But it is the prowess of the actors that makes this film intense and engaging. González’ depth of character and López’s hopefulness are the foundation of this film, and the other characters around them increase the interest. The acting is good overall, from Greisy Mena’s screeching indictments as Leo’s wife Yolanda and the bullies’ cruelty to the priest’s and Tita’s subtle initial stubbornness and humanity. Watching López as Alex, showcasing an open heart and wide-eyed optimism, warms the heart, and we feel his vulnerability. But it is González who steals the movie with his depth of spirit. We cry too at the heart-wrenching agony he feels over what he experienced with his parents’ death and the seeming futility of he and his brother’s endeavor. His eyes hint at his pain until it gets to be so much he tears open his heart and lets it bleed for the camera figuratively. The performance is certainly award-worthy and unforgettable.
The film already was a winner of the 2024 audience award for the Miami Film Festival, was Venezuela’s Oscar selection for Best International Feature, and it has been featured in several festivals.
The movie, which is in Spanish with English subtitles, is showing in select theaters in South Florida. The opening night is Friday, August 8 at Coral Gables Art Cinema, at 260 Aragon Ave. The 7:15 p.m. reception is followed by introductions and the film at 7:45 p.m. Director Miguel Angel Ferrer will participate in a Q&A after the film. The film will also show elsewhere in Miami starting on that day at Coral Gables Art Cinema, CMX CinéBistro CityPlace Doral, CMX Brickell City Centre and AMC Aventura 24. It also starts on Thursday, August 14 in Fort Lauderdale, at Savor Cinema. Palm Beach County is TBA. Additional South Florida theaters are to be announced soon.