Bardo False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths is a Mexican black comedy-drama film, directed and co-written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu along with Nicolás Giacobone. The film had been earlier released in selected theatres and is now available globally on Netflix. It also marks Iñárritu’s first film to be shot in Mexico since 2000’s international sensation Amores Perros.
The cast of the film includes Daniel Giménez Cacho as Silverio Gama, Diego Tello de Meneses, Griselda Siciliani as Lucía Gama, Ximena Lamadrid as Camila Gama, Iker Sanchez Solano as Lorenzo Gama, Jay O. Sanders as Ambassador Jones, Andrés Almeida as Martín, Francisco Rubio as Luis, Rubén Zamora, Mar Carrera as Lucero, Fabiola Guajardo as Tania, Daniel Damuzi as Antonio, José Antonio Toledano as Juan Escutia, María Cobar and Fernanda Borches.
Netflix’s description of the film reads:
An acclaimed journalist and documentarian goes on an epic introspective journey to reconcile with the past, the present and his identity.
-Bardo False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths Review Does Not Contain Any Spoilers-
Bardo is an epic, visually stunning and immersive experience set against the intimate and moving journey of Silverio, a renowned Mexican journalist and documentary filmmaker living in Los Angeles, who, after being named the recipient of a prestigious international award, is compelled to return to his native country, unaware that this simple trip will push him to an existential limit. The folly of his memories and fears has decided to pierce through the present, filling his everyday life with a sense of bewilderment and wonder.
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With both emotion and abundant laughter, Silverio grapples with universal yet intimate questions about identity, success, mortality, the history of Mexico and the deeply emotional familial bonds he shares with his wife and children. Indeed, what it means to be human in these very peculiar times.
The film starts off in a peculiar way with a wide aerial shot of a desert. It makes you wonder why the filmmaker put in such a long introductory shot when he should have introduced something that would grab your attention instantly. But as you move on from the scene to the next you can never be prepared for what’s coming.
What looks like normal childbirth will leave you feeling weird and a bit disgusted but that’s your cue, how the film will bring you things beyond your rational thinking. If you wonder why is it like that – so non-linear and transitioning from one thing to another, then the answer lies in the title itself.
Bardo is actually a Tibetan term which means the period of transition from one’s death to the next life. It is a state of existence where one would go through the events of his life and it could vary in length according to a person’s conduct in life. By explaining this, I feel like I am giving away too much, but I believe this would give much clarity about the story.
To put it simply, it’s just a story of a journalist going through his life, facing his fears – like feeling like an imposter or a fraud when you create something and put it in front of the world. If anything, it aptly depicts the inner fears of an artist who feels like they don’t deserve the recognition they are getting and that one-day people might realise their truth.
The film also brings up the dilemma of the first-generation immigrant, they move to another place for a better future but feel like the next generation doesn’t value their roots as much. The conflict often breaks the parent and the child apart but Silverio comes through and we can see the strong relationship that he has with his family.
Summing up: Bardo False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
It is a journey through the world that is created by the mind of one man. Silverio’s thoughts and imagination come alive on our screen, which is often surreal and mixes reality with fantasy. It is mind-bending and doesn’t make sense but if you introspect, our minds are no different – as our thoughts go from a 0 to 100 very quickly and with no reasoning. Bringing that out visually is applaudable and would definitely recommend others to watch it with some patience and an open mind.
Bardo False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths is currently streaming on Netflix.
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