Miriam Lies

Distributed by Pragda, 302 Bedford Ave., #136, Brooklyn, NY 11249Produced by Natalia Cabral, Oriol Estrada, Pablo Mustonen, Gabriel Tineo, et.al.Directed by Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada2018, Streaming, 90 mins Award-winning filmmakers Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada’s debut feature film follows the story of 14-year-old biracial Dominican, Miriam, (brilliantly portrayed by Dulce Rodríguez), as she prepares for her Quinceañera, “the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, marking her passage from girlhood to womanhood.” Born to a white mother and black father, Miriam is a typical teenager struggling with universal teenage problems i.e., boys, looks, and popularity. However, as the movie progresses, it becomes clear that Miriam’s problems are further exacerbated by her identity of having darker skin than her family. As her Quinceañera nears, Miriam is without a dance partner. She meets Jean-Louis online, sans computer camera, with anticipation that he will be both her dance partner and potential boyfriend. She also hopes that Jean-Louis will not only meet the approval of her classist and racist family but that he will be white, attractive, and from a “good” family. Miriam soon agrees to meet Jean-Louis in person, and from a distance discovers that he is local and black. She avoids eye contact and later lies why she is a no-show for their first date. She also keeps his identity a secret from family and friends. Soon, Miriam reveals Jean-Louis’ identity to her best friend, Jennifer, (Carolina Rohana) whose mother is also classist and racist. Miriam, and Jennifer’s mother soon suspect that something is wrong as they have yet to meet Jean-Louis. They question Jennifer about Jean-Louis. After learning the truth, Miriam is coerced to dance with Jennifer’s cousin to prevent embarrassment to the family. Shortly before the celebration, Miriam reveals to Jean-Louis that she loves him, throws caution to the wind, and invites Jean-Louis to the party. He arrives to the party, sees her across the room with straightened hair, make-up, and her head bent low. His immaturity lends itself to misunderstand that Miriam’s posture is possibly one of awkwardness and/or of shyness. He immediately leaves without confronting her. What a karmic turn of events. Miriam is left broken-hearted and sad at what should have been the most important and memorable event in her life. In closing, this film sheds light on everything that is wrong in society. It is an excellent film with numerous themes for discussion to wit classism, economic disparity, interracial relationships, and racism to name a few. For example, it is hard enough to be a teenager, but to have a mother, and the mother’s best friend, constantly and openly discuss their racist attitudes around a young impressionable adult does nothing to alleviate someone who struggles with racial identity and self-confidence. Numerous cultural microaggressions are represented in the film. For example, Miriam’s white friends constantly place their fingers in Miriam’s curly hair without permission, Miriam’s nickname is “tarantula,” and to appease her mother’s white friends at the Quinceañera, Miriam’s hair is straightened flat. This reviewer questions if Miriam is allowed to have any black friends? All of the servants and help are black and treated as domestic slaves, verbally assaulted at the slightest transgression. Is this a true reflection of the Dominican Republic? If yes, then shameful. The editing relies heavily on close up shots of characters during scenes of subtle and overt racism perhaps meant to reflect the contempt between the haves and have-nots. While effective, it can be overwhelming at times leaving the viewer to wish for an occasional break for a wider shot. The soundtrack is a brilliant mix that captures each moment appropriately. I recommend this film for junior high school through college undergraduate students who are studying racial dynamics, biracial identities, classism, and coming-of-age customs within Latin American cultures. In Spanish with English subtitles. Awards:Cinélatino, Rencontres de Toulouse, French Critics' Discovery Award; Huelva International Film Festival Golden Colón Award to Best Film; Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Award of Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention; Gijón International Film Festival, Best Script; Sydney Latin American Film Festival, Best Film; Havana Film Festival, Sara Gómez Award