Surface – in English, means “to come to the surface”, but also “to reveal oneself”. It is not easy for us to reveal ourselves in difficult moments, to reveal our painful states to the world. We lose control over our emotions, which become more and more deeply rooted in us. Over time, cracks appear in the relationships between us and our loved ones. Unspoken grievances, unworked wounds, can bleed stronger and stronger. This is what the directing duo of Cecilia Atán and Valeria Pivato tell us in Surfacing, which was named Best Argentine Film at the Mar del Plata IFF. 

Sofia (Maricel Álvarez) receives her son (Spinetta’s Angelo Mutti), who returns from prison after serving time. The distance between the family is remarkably palpable. The emotions that bubble up in the characters and the circumstances of the sentence do not inspire harmony. From moment to moment, we discover new motives of the characters, which are indicators of their frigidity – one of the many strengths of the film, which takes the viewer through the uneasy maze of the human mind. 

It is a cinema of understatement. It is on the viewer to follow and catch elements with full attention. Over time, the symbols become the story. One of them is the recurring motif of fire, which is a contradiction of water – the titular element. The elements intertwine to create an extraordinary caliber of emotion. Surfacing, not only makes us reflect on the contradictions in the world and in ourselves, but will also be a feast for the eye. Sergio Armstrong, the cinematographer, runs the picture smoothly, giving the viewer reassurance. 

We never know how much or what lies beneath the surface – even of our loved ones. Let alone those unfamiliar to us…. 

Surfacing”(dir. Cecilia Atán, Valeria Pivato) is to be seen at the 18th Mastercard OFF CAMERA as part of the Calm Only section, whose partners are Lipton and PANI. 

Magdalena Nowaczyk