The shocking true story behind one of Guatemala’s most harrowing tragedies is the premise behind writer/director Jayro Bustamante’s (La Llorona) mesmerizing dark fantasy film, Rita. This is an unforgettable film experience, one with just as many swashes of magical mysticism as there is gritty realism. It’s not often easy to watch, and much like a modern art piece, it asks the audience to observe it and ponder it after first viewing. It’s a stunning piece of cinema that stays with you long after everything fades to black.
The odyssey tracks 13-year-old Rita (Giuliana Santa Cruz), who bolts from her neglectful household but ultimately gets placed in a truly oppressive state-run orphanage. Things go from grim to dire there, but initially, Rita’s presence sparks a rare kind of hope for the girls confined to the orphanage, who all share a belief that a mysterious prophecy — some kind of angel — will appear to release them from their suffering.
That plot point offers a strong throughline in the film as these girls develop a rare bond. Soon, they plot an escape to find liberation. They also intend to expose the orphanage’s abuses of power. Imagine the pushback on that from within the organization. Inevitably, Rita boldly illuminates the plight of these brave orphans and the desperate measures they took to fight for survival. The real-life story triggered a nationwide outcry for significant justice and reform. The film is bound to trigger its viewers, hopefully with righteous anger, for it boldly exposes a disturbing kind of child abuse.
A Surreal Modern-Day Fairy Tale About an Awful Tragedy
At an institution for troubled girls in Guatemala City, Rita finds herself at the center of an uprising by the seemingly-magical groups of girls who are sick of being exploited.
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Director
- Jayro Bustamante
- Runtime
- 1h 47m
- Studio(s)
- Concordia Studio
- Distributor(s)
- Shudder
- An important, tragic story is told with dignity and artistic integrity.
- Surreal, imaginative choices are used effectively to display the girls' interior worlds.
- Giuliana Santa Cruz and especially Alejandra Vasquez give great performances.
- The film may be just too depressing and triggering for many people.
Don’t expect to get swept away in a traditional narrative while watching Rita. Jayro Bustamante creates a dark modern-day fairy tale as a way to tell this soul-stirring story, and it’s best to at least know enough about the backstory. On March 8, 2017, 56 low-income girls and adolescents were burned in a Guatemalan state protection home; 41 died, 15 survived.
But as far back as 2013, there were many reports of sexual violence and suspected trafficking within this dank institution. The 56 girls considered to be the leaders of the riot were locked up against their rights in a small room. When the fire started inside, the police and guards manning the door to the outside waited roughly 10 minutes before opening it. All this amid rising smoke and terrifying screams. And the smell of burning flesh. When firefighters tried to intervene, several guards prevented them from entering easily.
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The fire took place after all the institutionalized girls created an escape riot, all in an attempt to report the mistreatment and sexual abuse they were suffering. Fittingly, they used the date of International Women’s Day as a viable reason. To this day, the state has refrained from acknowledging its responsibility, nor has there been an apology for extreme negligence.
If you’re wondering if the filmmaker exposes these particular events, he does. They emerge later in the film and are as harrowing to watch as they are to hear about. But there’s a lot happening before that significant event takes place, and it all unfolds in a kind of mystical if not surreal kaleidoscope filled with fascinating images, great use of light and color, and a score that certainly generates a mood.
Rita Makes Hope & Justice Significant Characters
Hope and justice become main characters in Rita. Perhaps salvation, too. The filmmaker does an effective job of moving the tale along, however dreamy and ethereal it is. The moment Rita is dropped into a den of “Angels,” it’s clear she stands out in this warped haven for tough girls. Most of them haven’t bathed. The majority of them wear soiled clothes, but from this, something eye-catching is immediately evident. They’re all wearing striking handmade angel wings. “Angels” occupy the same space as others dressed as fairies or bunnies, and even punk-ish figures.
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All this indicates that these abused girls have resorted to their imagination, which gave them the green light to create their own styles. Or, in essence, their own realities. Dangerous foes emerge, of course, with the adult figures, and as Rita rises and becomes revered among the posse of angels — a kind of savior if you will — their lives become more severe. Look for Alejandra Vásquez to capture your attention. The mesmerizing star plays a cherished character named Bebé, a brave “Angel” filled with sage-like wisdom, but we can see where the filmmaker is heading with this character, who becomes significant to a plot twist as the misery escalates.
Jayro Bustamante Is Building an Important Filmography
Bookmark Jayro Bustamante, too, and be on the lookout for him in the future. The Guatemala-born filmmaker is deeply committed to telling stories about Guatemala and its people. His previous film, The Criterion Collection entry La Llorona, tracked the dense complexities of race, class, and gender in Guatemala during the genocide of Native Mayans. Much like La Llorona, Rita benefits from pristine costuming and production design.
The filmmaker so effectively tosses us into an entirely different world, and while the subject matter may have people checking out too soon, overall, this outing is both bone-tingling and chilling. With touches of Pan's Labyrinth, Black Swan, and Legend, Rita is a bold, courageous and visually stunning feat. Rita is available to stream on Shudder November 22.
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