O corno

The sun rising over a forest in Galicia, calves swimming across a river with their moms, and women singing lullabies, giving birth, picking blackberries, harvesting shellfish, running from the law, and having sex in the forest; the beauty and pain of being a female living in a fascist regime is on display.

When a young woman accidentally gets pregnant she seeks the help of an older woman, Maria, who may know how to get an abortion. This is illegal in fascist countries such as the one they are living in. The risks are immense and the women are in over their heads in danger.

"That life no longer exists. What exists now is this."

Set in the later years of the Franco regime (in my lifetime), The Rye Horn is a beautiful and terrifying exploration of what women go through living in a right wing world. The characters are intriguing, the acting is totally convincing, the cinematography is wondrous, and the story is enthralling. There are pleasing natural sounds of singing birds, flowing water, and women singing lullabies. While it is scary witnessing the awful realities of outlawing abortion, there is beauty and warmth in the help of kind people, in nature, and the rising sun.

Illa of Arousa, 1971. María earns her living fishing and is also a midwife helps other women in their deliveries in childbirth. But she also performs abortions using the rye horn, addressing about the little black part of the rye, which can be used (once ground and drunk in an infusion) to interrupt a pregnancy. After an unexpected event, she is forced to flee from authorities and begins a dangerous journey in search of her freedom, that will make her fight for her survival. María decides to cross the border along one of the smuggling routes between Galicia and Portugal.

A rural drama who moves to 'Road movie' when the starring has to flee pursued by the Civil Guard. The film shows some seventies customs of the Galician towns, work, fishing, washing clothes in the river, pilgrimages, among others. Janet Novás plays acceptably as a spinster who helps other women in childbirth with special dedication and care, when happens an unexpected happening, she is forced to flee and embarks on a risked journey that will make her fight for her survival. Winner of the Goya 2024 for best new actress and contemporary dancer Janet Novás, and the Golden Shell for best film at the 2023 San Sebastian Festival, it is the first film directed by a woman to win the main prize at the San Sebastian competition. And the first film in Galician to participate in the official section of the festival. Director Jaiona Camborda explains: "the film was born from questions that were present in me, about the capacity of women to give life and how this is also enclosed in a relationship with death."

In 'O corno' stands out the colorful and evocative cinematography by cameraman Rui Poças. Highlighting the attractive images when the cows swim across a river. As well as sensitive musical score by composer Camilo Sanabria, including song 'Barco Negro' performed by Amalia Rodrigues. The motion picture was mediocre and slowly directed by Jaione Camborda. She previously made Arima (2019) and a Short: Rapa Das Bestas (2017).

O corno(2023) won several awards and nominations, such as: Goya Awards Best New Actress Janet Novás. San Sebastián International Film Festival Jaione Camborda 2023 winner Golden Seashell Best Film Jaione Camborda. Toronto International Film Festival Jaione Camborda 2023 Nominado Platform Prize Jaione Camborda. Feroz Awards, ES 2024 Nominado Feroz Award Best Poster Alejandro Llamas Sánchez, Jaione Camborda 2024 Nominado Feroz Arrebato Award. Film Festival Oostende Jaione Camborda . Festival Oostende 2024 Nominado COOP! Competition Best Coproduction Jaione Camborda. International Crime and Punishment Film Festival Jaione Camborda 2023 Nominado International Golden Scale Award, Best Feature Film Jaione Camborda. Mestre Mateo Awards nominated Best Director Jaione Camborda, Best Cinematography Rui Poças. 2024 Ganador Somos Cine Award Jaione Camborda, among others.