THE STORY – When a cartel gunman is killed, he leaves behind Sujo, his 4-year-old son. The shadow of violence surrounds Sujo during each stage of his life. As he grows into a man, Sujo finds that fulfilling his father’s destiny may be inescapable.
THE CAST – Juan Jesús Varela, Yadira Pérez, Alexis Varela, Sandra Lorenzano, Jairo Hernandez, Kevin Aguilar & Karla Garrido
THE TEAM – Astrid Rondero & Fernanda Valadez (Directors/Writers)
THE RUNNING TIME – 126 minutes
There are many different ways to tell a coming-of-age story. And yet, given this diverse landscape, most people have become accustomed to one particular perspective. Generally, it’s a relatable environment of a young child coming into their own identity amidst the backdrop of quaint familial settings, usually nestled within nondescript suburbia, as they navigate the trials and tribulations associated with blooming adulthood. It’s remarkable how this methodology can cut across racial and gender divides in its examination, highlighting both the universality of such a journey and how monotonous this way of telling stories can be. A person can live through extraordinary events, burdened by high stakes and eventful decisions, and still walk a similar path to those in less hostile environments. That is what is most powerful about “Sujo” and its dreamy meditations of a young life desperately holding onto the light in the face of overwhelming darkness.
The film’s namesake belongs to a young boy whose life has been rocked by a series of violent occurrences. His father is an assassin within the Mexican cartel…that is, until he is killed and disposed of after a botched job. The cartel’s first instinct is to eliminate his four-year-old son, but the boy’s aunt Nemesia (Yadira Pérez) shelters him and pleads for his safety. It’s granted on the condition he never enters the main town and is completely isolated. Even though she agrees to this, it’s difficult to keep Sujo completely separated from outside influences. When he ages into a young man (Juan Jesús Varela), the lure to enter the criminal underworld becomes a stronger siren, so much so that it ensnares his cousins Jeremy (Jairo Hernandez) and Jai (Alexis Valera). However, it’s clear that Sujo feels trapped as a pawn in this horrible enterprise but also wants to break free and find a more liberating existence. It’s up to him as to where he will end up succeeding in one effort and failing in another.
One of the most striking elements on display is the vibrant imagery that can capture both a stark reserve in the depictions of violence and the intimacy of a textured character study. It makes perfect sense that the creative team behind “Identifying Features” would also deliver another vivid telling of Mexican citizens pursuing an idealized goal. Fernanda Valadez and Astrid Rondero craft an atmosphere that is constantly ominous and foreboding but can also relish the moments that bring joy and elation, even if on a small scale. They create a contemplative tone that is quiet but not lacking in intensity. The scenes of peril have a grounded perspective, and their presentation is even more terrifying, given the lack of histrionics. It’s what makes such depictions all the more impactful, and Ximena Amann’s gorgeous cinematography manifests a heightened reality that also feels strangely grounded in its somber artistry.
While the storytelling is compelling, there are moments within the narrative that contribute to a tedious pace. While not strictly speaking episodic, the road these characters take to their next venture can feel contrived in some places, and the tracks that have been laid to beckon Sujo back into his father’s trade are ill-defined – though there is an effective underlining of the gravitational force that criminality can lure one into its graces. There’s also a point in which the title character has ambitions to pursue higher education and falls under the tutelage of Susana (Sandra Lorenzano), a teacher from the big city who wants to draw out his potential. It’s a touching moment of kindness that forces the story to meander and eventually spin its wheels regarding this eventual arc. The pieces themselves are engaging, but one does reach a point where it feels like events are becoming far too tiresome to endure.
Valera is a good anchor to the film as he allows that stoic reserve to house his hardened cynicism and desperation for a better life. He doesn’t indulge in grand outbursts but instead chooses to quietly ponder his surroundings in a soulful performance. He is a wonderful presence, though the highest marks are for Peréz, exuding both a cunning resolve and a palpable warmth that makes her an engrossing figure. She serves as a parental figure who must shield away the surrounding dangers with a harsh effort built from a foundation of deep affection. It’s what makes her portrayal so endearing and riveting. These two are the highlights of an ensemble that’s mostly serviceable. However, Lorenzano also has a captivating aura that would have been more effective had it served a stronger section of the narrative.
So much of what makes “Sujo” an intriguing experience is how it weaves together a story that may have familiar elements on the surface but can mine a deep well of emotion through its execution. There is a persistent energy, muted in its showcase but piercing in its delivery of a gripping landscape. The film can sometimes be a laborious endeavor, which impacts just how much the plot can become immersive within this commentary. Yet, the tone can’t be ignored, constructing an absorbing display in this disturbing setting of the dire consequences that actions have on those around you. The performances and filmmaking serve this purpose well, and what results is an alluring piece that is haunting in its lingering messages of perseverance.
