The Undergrowth

The Undergrowth opens with a fable of how one family came to own land that is known as the Plain of Lost Souls in the Canary Islands. Two generations later, three elderly sisters reunite there, the site of their childhood, to decide how this inherited estate will be divided amongst them. Debut filmmaker Macu Machin’s approach moves enigmatically between staging and observation while her intimate cinematography captures the microexpressions and small gestures that reveal the layers of tension between these siblings. As long buried arguments resurface, the women wander the territory, gathering brush and harvesting almonds while reflecting on their memories of this place that binds them together. A film tinged with magical realism, The Undergrowth is an evocative contemplation on familial relationships, legacy and the passing of time. (CT)
Preceded by short “Another Rapid Event"