route . Along that path , she meets two other individuals : one ( Ana Laura Rodriguez ) shares her sad experience and gives advice ; the other ( David Illescas ) accompanies her wary descent , and , for his kindness , earns just recompense .
Fernanda Valadez and Astrid Rondero have crafted a gutwrenching drama , intertwined with rich Mexican folkloric interpretation . The film depicts honestly how raw and unnaturally cruel survival can be – it is not for the weak of heart . Fernanda Valadez ’ s supple direction and the outstanding cast ’ s unaffected characterizations bear witness to the script ’ s soundness . Claudia Becerril Bulos ’ s excellent cinematography creatively shifts then diversely positions visuals that often juxtapose the beauty of nature with human exploitation . The editing ( Susan Korda , Astrid Rondero , Fernanda Valadez ) is captivatingly fluid , sound design ’ s ( Omar Juárez Espino , supervising ) native and natural
rhythms encapsulate , and music ( Clarice Jensen ) compellingly amplifies .
Celluloid interpretations and perspectives of US – Mexican border conflicts have varied greatly over the years : from Orson Wells ’ s Touch of Evil ( 1958 ); The Border ( 1982 ), with Jack Nicholson ; Steven Soderbergh ’ s Traffic ( 2000 ); and Alejandro González Iñárritu ’ s Babel ( 2006 ), to earthier film versions like Sicario and the documentary Cartel Land ( 2015 ). Valadez ’ s cinematic net is not as wide , yet more heartbreaking by concentrating on the plight of disappeared young adults . Among its many awards , Was Geschah Mit Bus 670 ? won the 2020 Sundance Film Festival ’ s Audience Award and World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award . 97 minutes ( Marinell Haegelin )
The Secrets We Keep ( Schatten der Vergangenheit ) **** USA 2020 Opened December 3 , 2020
Directed by : Yuval Adler Writing credits : Yuval Adler , Ryan Covington Principal actors : Noomi Rapace , Joel Kinnaman , Chris Messina , Amy Seimetz and Annabel and their dog Max also has a problem : her husband has disappeared ; the police are looking for him .
History , which Maja had suppressed for 15 years , is revealed in flashbacks , “ memories of a memory ,” until “ all of a sudden , your past is here .” Maja is not above torture to force a confession from her prisoner , whom she calls Karl . Lewis attempts to keep a reasonable footing throughout this unbelievable situation . Rachel , who meets Maja through their children playing together , has no knowledge of Maja ’ s actions .
It is 1959 and Maja ( Noomi Rapace ) lives with her husband Lewis ( Chris Messina ) and their small son Patrick ( Jackson Dean Vincent ) in a suburb in the USA . Maja is an immigrant from Romania who met her husband in Europe while he was serving in World War II . One day , while sitting in the park with Patrick , she sees a man who seems familiar . In fact , she is so sure that he abused her and killed her sister Miriah in a Nazi concentration camp that she kidnaps him and brings him home to her basement , all tied up to be questioned . This kidnapping required massive strength , and , in the end , her husband , rather surprised to see a stranger in the trunk of his wife ’ s car , decides to stand by her for further disclosures . He slowly learns about his wife ’ s past experiences , which explain her nightmares and need for psychiatric support , of which he , even as a medical doctor , was unaware . The stranger ( Joel Kinnaman ) denies all accusations , claiming he is Thomas Steinmann from Switzerland . Rachel ( Amy Seimetz ), who lives nearby with her small children Tommy
This film is excellent due to the talented actors , especially Noomi Rapace who carries the story , smoking throughout . The viewer becomes integrated into the storyline , deep in concentration , wondering : how will it end ? This is not always entertaining or even easy ; it is serious , heavy , accompanied by background music that is ominous , even scary . Since opening in other countries , there is a discussion over similarities to Roman Polanski ’ s film Death and the Maiden and possible copyright problems . It is amazing how well director Yuval Adler projects the 1950s through fashion ( Maja likes hats ), cars , old television shows , etc . The film ends at an Independence Day party , July 4 , 1960 . ( Becky Tan )
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