Trenque Lauquen ( 2022 )

Trenque Lauquen (2022): A Labyrinthine Journey Through Argentine Pampa

Trenque Lauquen, a 2022 Argentine film directed by Laura Citarella, is not easily summarized. It's a sprawling, six-chapter narrative that unfolds as a mystery, a love story, a sci-fi whisper, and a poignant meditation on absence, memory, and the unspoken histories embedded within a seemingly ordinary Argentine town. The film’s intricate structure, its deliberate pacing, and its richly drawn characters invite viewers to lose themselves in its layered narrative, prompting reflection long after the credits roll. Citarella, a key figure in the new Argentine cinema movement, crafts a work that challenges conventional storytelling while offering a deeply humanistic portrait of its characters and the landscape they inhabit.

Synopsis: Disappearance and Discovery

The story begins with the disappearance of Laura (Laura Paredes), a botanist working on a project to combat a palm weevil infestation in Trenque Lauquen, a small town located in the vast Argentine pampa. Two men, Rafael (Rafael Spregelburd) and Ezequiel (Ezequiel Pierri), both former lovers of Laura, arrive in town separately, each determined to find her. Their investigations become the framework for the narrative, leading them (and the audience) down various rabbit holes and into the lives of the town's inhabitants.

As Rafael and Ezequiel piece together clues, they uncover stories that Laura had been secretly investigating. These include a series of mysterious love letters hidden within old radio programs at the local radio station, a strange anomaly reported by a local doctor, and an unsettling legend about a woman who lives in the pampa and possesses supernatural abilities. Each discovery complicates the search for Laura and raises questions about her motivations and the true nature of her disappearance. Was she kidnapped? Did she run away? Or is there something else at play, something more enigmatic and perhaps even fantastical?

The film meticulously unveils its secrets, layer by layer, blurring the lines between reality and fiction, mystery and romance, the mundane and the extraordinary. The pampa itself becomes a character, a vast and unknowable landscape holding both secrets and possibilities.

Characters: A Tapestry of Lives

Trenque Lauquen boasts a compelling ensemble cast, each character contributing to the film's rich tapestry. Here's a look at some of the key figures:

Laura Paredes delivers a captivating performance as Laura, imbuing her character with intelligence, curiosity, and a quiet determination. The dynamic between Rafael and Ezequiel, two men with contrasting personalities and approaches to love, provides both comedic relief and poignant moments of reflection. The supporting characters, each with their own unique stories and perspectives, contribute to the film's sense of community and its exploration of human connection.

Themes: Absence, Memory, and the Power of Storytelling

Trenque Lauquen is a film that delves into several profound themes, including:

• Absence and Presence: Laura's disappearance is not just a plot device; it's a catalyst for exploring the nature of absence and the ways in which it shapes our understanding of presence. The film examines how absence can create a void, but also how it can open up possibilities for new discoveries and perspectives.
• Memory and History: The film is deeply concerned with the ways in which memory and history are constructed and transmitted. The love letters, the local legends, and the stories of the town's inhabitants all contribute to a complex tapestry of memory that shapes the present.
• The Power of Storytelling: Trenque Lauquen is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms. The film acknowledges the power of stories to entertain, to inform, and to connect us to one another. It also explores the ways in which stories can be used to shape our understanding of the world and to create meaning in our lives.
• Gender and the Unseen: The film subtly explores themes of gender roles and the often-unseen contributions of women in history and within communities. Laura's investigation into the love letters, initially dismissed as unimportant, reveals a rich history of female experience and expression.
• The Mystery of the Mundane: The film highlights how mystery can exist even in the most ordinary places and situations. It suggests that the most fascinating stories are often hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered by those who are willing to look closely.

Structure and Style: A Deliberate Labyrinth

The film's structure, divided into six chapters, is deliberately non-linear and fragmented. Citarella employs a variety of narrative techniques, including flashbacks, voiceovers, and multiple perspectives, to create a complex and multi-layered narrative. The film's pacing is slow and deliberate, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Trenque Lauquen and to appreciate the nuances of the characters and their relationships. This deliberate pacing is crucial to the film’s overall effect; it creates a sense of anticipation and encourages active viewing.

The film's visual style is characterized by its naturalistic cinematography and its use of long takes. The camera often lingers on the landscape, capturing the vastness of the pampa and the subtle beauty of the natural world. This visual approach reinforces the film's themes of absence, memory, and the power of place.

The score is minimalistic, employing ambient sounds and subtle musical cues to create a sense of mystery and unease. The sound design is equally important, capturing the sounds of the pampa, the whispers of the wind, and the murmurings of the town's inhabitants.

Reception and Interpretation: A Film That Demands Engagement

Trenque Lauquen has been widely praised by critics for its originality, its ambition, and its thought-provoking themes. The film has been described as a masterpiece of narrative construction and a profound meditation on the human condition. Some critics have noted the film's debt to classic mystery films, while others have highlighted its innovative approach to storytelling.

The film's ambiguous ending has sparked considerable debate among viewers, with some interpreting it as a sign of hope and others as a reflection of the inherent uncertainty of life. Ultimately, Trenque Lauquen is a film that resists easy interpretation. It is a film that demands engagement, that challenges viewers to question their assumptions, and that rewards multiple viewings.

Key Elements Summarized

The New Argentine Cinema Connection

Laura Citarella is a significant voice in the New Argentine Cinema movement, known for its independent spirit and experimentation with form and narrative. Her work often explores the lives of ordinary people and delves into the complexities of Argentine society. Trenque Lauquen embodies many of the hallmarks of this movement, including its focus on character-driven narratives, its use of location shooting, and its willingness to challenge conventional filmmaking techniques. The film, like many in the New Argentine Cinema, rejects grand narratives and instead focuses on the intimate, personal stories that shape individual lives and communities.

Conclusion: A Lasting Impression

Trenque Lauquen is a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. It is a film that invites reflection, that challenges assumptions, and that celebrates the power of storytelling. With its intricate plot, compelling characters, and profound themes, Trenque Lauquen is a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.