Families can sometimes give us the worst headaches possible. Being in their presence can strike such an intense migraine that you can’t help, but want to escape them. This scenario was greatly illustrated in Hernan Jimenez’s award winning film,
El Regreso, one of the many highlights from this year’s
New York International Latino Film Festival.
After a ten-year hiatus from his family, 30 year-old Antonio (Hernan Jimenez) is summoned by his ailing father (Luis Fernando Gomez) to return to his native country Costa Rica. He is welcomed by his hysterical sister, Amanda (Barbra Jimenez), whose husband recently abandoned her and their young son Inti (Andre Boxwill), who is apprehensive to Antonio’s presence.
Immediately after, Antonio is making arrangements to leave. However, things take a turn for what he thinks is the worst and his visit is prolonged. Antonio is forced to confront the reasons why he left his home in the first place. After a period of trying to escape the grips of his former world he finally gives in, slowly realizing that there is no such thing as escaping your problems especially when those problems are the ones called
familia.
Antonio soon builds a relationship with his nephew, who he finds shares a similar past to his own. He encourages his sister to recognize the condition of her life and initiates a relationship with his father. Add in the comedy of Antonio finding out that his best friend is the lead singer of a death metal rock band and sprinkle in the rekindling of a childhood romance and you have the ingredients of a superb film, known as
El Regreso. It’s no wonder that it was awarded “Best International Feature Film” at the New York International Latin Film Festival.
Hernan Jimenez beautifully illustrates a tale that many viewers can identify with-handling the annoyance we sometimes call our family and friends. El Regreso successfully teaches us that
la familia is a deep part of who we ultimately become. No matter how far or long we try to run away from them, they are there to stay.
