Nothing is more honest and wholesome than a story about a young female friendship being put to the test. Of course it is easier as a female to reflect upon and connect with this story, it definitely speaks lengths. In her feature-length directorial debut, Fernanda Tovar provides a touching insight into the lives of two teenage swimmers from Mexico. The film has a beautiful and subtle colour palette and strong connection between characters. Chicas Triste (Sad Girlz) reminds us how it can be to be a young girl growing up in the world.
Best friends La Maestra (Rocío Guzmán) and Paula (Darana Álvarez) are the strongest swimmers on their team. Over the summer they have been training to represent Mexico at the Junior Pan American Swimming Championships. After numerous amounts of flirting and shots at a party, Paula is alone with longtime crush, Daniel (Lucio Lemus). Within the next day La Maestra notices something different about her best friend. Her friend’s usual happiness and closeness seem to have faded. At first, Paula will not tell La Maestra anything. But time winds on and she continues to push for information. Eventually, Paula opens up about what happened that night. The experience, though only one went through it, is felt differently for each girl. One wants answers and the other hopes to move on. As the details begin to spill, their individual responses put their friendship to the test.
We all recognize those feelings of guilt, worry and compassion. When you have someone you have been close to for your entire life and they are in trouble, all emotions are heightened. What becomes worse is that they had to go through it, and you wish it was you. Well, in this case, you wish it was no one. There is truth and honesty in the story of Sad Girlz. It feels as if Tovar wanted to remind the audience that circumstances such as what Paula goes through happen all too often. To add more compassion and ways to connect to the character(s), she scripted a conflict between friends too. As sad as it is to say this, without this friendship struggle, Sad Girlz might not have been as connectable as it is.
The teenage years might be experienced differently depending on where the individuals come from, but one thing remains international. The way in which teenagers behave can be so relevant to how they experience maturity. From the innocence of adolescence to the sexual impulses some have, all is carefully woven into Sad Girlz. There is even the additional element of adolescence that comes from sports teams. With Tovar including so many typicalities of teenagers, there are still ways for the audience to feel distance between themselves and the two. However, it is through careful craftsmanship where the bridge can be built.
Not only did Tovar create a beautiful piece of cinema, with her script and directorial choices, but Guzmán and Álvarez added to this greatly. The two young girls bring such passion and emotional intelligence to their characters that this is truly what allows for the film’s message and warmth to shine through. It is not so often where you require this from your actors, but when the layers of the film travel so deep into performance, who you have chosen can make or break the film. With the casting of Guzmán and Álvarez, connections are stronger between La Maestra and Paula, allowing a resonance between them and the viewer.
Many a time have filmmakers attempted to create something that touches on the unspoken plague that is these sexual offences. Not often, however, do the results produce justice for the inflicted. All too often you are made to feel uncomfortable and upset during these films. With Sad Girlz, Tovar touches on the subject intelligently without causing too much distain in the audience. Focusing all the more on the friendship element, and what happens in the aftermath of these affairs.
Sad Girlz is raw, honest, and all the more touching. While premiering in the Generation program at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, the film was honoured with the Crystal Bear for Best Film. From each added element to the portrayal of La Maestra and Paula, Sad Girlz is everything you would hope for in such a reflective piece. Once the film releases into further cinemas, do your best to watch it when you can.
