2021·Drama·1h 46m
7.1
★
In a remote village in Costa Rica, Clara, a withdrawn 40-year-old woman, experiences a sexual and mystical awakening as she begins a journey to free herself from the repressive religious and social conventions which have dominated her life.
Directed by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén
sexuality
remote village
religious conventions
tropical forest
spine disease
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Wendy Chinchilla Araya
Clara
Crew
Nathalie Álvarez Mesén
Director
Nathalie Álvarez Mesén
Writer
Marie-Hélène Dozo
Editor
Nima Yousefi
Producer
Ruben De Gheselle
Music
Agustín Moreaux
Production Design
Peter Bernaers
Colorist
Popular Reviews
18 reviews
Jeremy
7.0★ · 08/20/25
Leave that woman alone
Leave that woman alone
coly
9.0★ · 08/20/25
liberarse de la religión es una la única forma de seguir adelante
liberarse de la religión es una la única forma de seguir adelante
Yass Vass
7.0★ · 01/28/25
A film deeply rooted in the literal tradition of magical realism, this story uses the protagonist’s supernatural abilities to explore how she is objectified—treated not as a person, but as an icon, valued solely for her healing powers. Her family and community appear to accept and love her, but in reality, they tolerate her eccentric, autistic-coded mannerisms only because of what she can offer them.
At the same time, she is relentlessly stifled and controlled by her mother, who denies her bodily autonomy at every turn. She isn’t allowed to explore her sexuality, nor is she permitted to address her own underlying health issues, lest they alter "how God made her." Any deviation from her mother’s rigid guidance is met with punishment. Her mother treats her not as an individual, but as a mere vessel through which the power of the Holy Virgin flows, using her body and abilities for her own benefit.
In the end, the protagonist must destroy the institutions that imprison her—her home, the religious icons... By claiming her independence, she finally embraces the full extent of her powers.
At the same time, she is relentlessly stifled and controlled by her mother, who denies her bodily autonomy at every turn. She isn’t allowed to explore her sexuality, nor is she permitted to address her own underlying health issues, lest they alter "how God made her." Any deviation from her mother’s rigid guidance is met with punishment. Her mother treats her not as an individual, but as a mere vessel through which the power of the Holy Virgin flows, using her body and abilities for her own benefit.
In the end, the protagonist must destroy the institutions that imprison her—her home, the religious icons... By claiming her independence, she finally embraces the full extent of her powers.
A film deeply rooted in the literal tradition of magical realism, this story uses the protagonist’s supernatural abilities to explore how she is objectified—treated not as a person, but as an icon, valued solely for her healing powers. Her family and community appear to accept and love her, but in reality, they tolerate her eccentric, autistic-coded mannerisms only because of what she can offer them.
At the same time, she is relentlessly stifled and controlled by her mother, who denies her bodily autonomy at every turn. She isn’t allowed to explore her sexuality, nor is she permitted to address her own underlying health issues, lest they alter "how God made her." Any deviation from her mother’s rigid guidance is met with punishment. Her mother treats her not as an individual, but as a mere vessel through which the power of the Holy Virgin flows, using her body and abilities for her own benefit.
In the end, the protagonist must destroy the institutions that imprison her—her home, the religious icons... By claiming her independence, she finally embraces the full extent of her powers.
At the same time, she is relentlessly stifled and controlled by her mother, who denies her bodily autonomy at every turn. She isn’t allowed to explore her sexuality, nor is she permitted to address her own underlying health issues, lest they alter "how God made her." Any deviation from her mother’s rigid guidance is met with punishment. Her mother treats her not as an individual, but as a mere vessel through which the power of the Holy Virgin flows, using her body and abilities for her own benefit.
In the end, the protagonist must destroy the institutions that imprison her—her home, the religious icons... By claiming her independence, she finally embraces the full extent of her powers.
Alinayass
8.0★ · 11/30/24
Mi chica Clara solo ocupaba que no la trataran como una chamaca
Mi chica Clara solo ocupaba que no la trataran como una chamaca
Zoë Westlund
6.4★ · 11/30/24
Scream in your abusive mother’s face!!
Scream in your abusive mother’s face!!