Mermaids' Lament

I was given an opportunity to see this film near me and it was definitely worth seeing this fish out of water story. We have two main characters, Justina Mattos as Nell, who plays a therapist trying to help Dayva Summer Escobar, playing Oee, a mermaid who is trapped on land.

Shot in the town of Hilo, Hawaii, this film shows the beauty of the town and ocean areas and gives a terrific backdrop for the main characters. It's always a treat when small towns get used in films and Hilo natives will recognize areas used in the movie. Special shoutouts to the underwater sequences that were beautifully shot.

We have two main characters and surprisingly little dialogue between them. What is there is golden. Nell is totally believable in her seeking to help Oee whom she believes to be a troubled homeless girl who also thinks she is a mermaid. There's one scene in particular that shows just how bad-ass Nell can be. Oee has little dialogue, but that gives the opportunity for Escobar to show off her acting with facial expressions, movements and emotions. She's absolutely adorable and deserves recognition. Her smile when playing with an umbrella should be what plays when you open a birthday present. I dare you not to smile along.

If you have the means to watch it, I strongly urge you to do so. You will be happier after.

This movie really touched me gone through trauma in my life, anxiety panic attacks, depression, wondering is there any reason for being here, so I totally relate with this movie, and I highly recommend you seeing this. The photography is unbelievable. The scenery is unbelievable. The music just surround you. This is not one to miss. Especially if you or someone you know has experienced trauma in their life I'm almost sure everyone at least knows somebody so I would highly recommend that you recommend this movie to them as well. You won't be disappointed. The director did a wonderful job. The actors are fantastic so go rent it and watch it. It's on Amazon, and Google play.

From the gentle symbolisms such as Oees early encounter with a fellow escaped captive and stranger in a stranger land, to her fascination with the umbrella constantly seeking to fly free as Oee longed to do with a return to the sea this movie spoke volumes. Amazing to pull this off with only 2 characters and very little dialog but pull it off they did!

The issues faced by both characters seem insurmountable which makes the ending that much more beautiful and touching.

If you're looking for a movie that is alive with feeling and connections, between both people and this earth we live on this is a must see.

If you're a fan of Eliseo Subiela's Man Facing Southeast, you'll love this film as well. This isn't The Little Mermaid. No cute lovey dovey junior high sentiments. It deals with suicide, anxiety, trauma and possibly rape, but it does so with hope always in the periphery in the form of mermaids. And the ocean, can be perceived as both threatening and a sanctuary. As Evan Dossey of the Midwest Film Journal writes, "The seas play a pivotal role, both symbolic and literal, for both of the women, and it's by far the most successful element of his film." Storytelling is most powerful when it embraces its mythological roots with metaphor and allegory, and Mermaids' Lament embraces that past fully.

Hope you enjoy the experience.

GB's new film beautifully intertwines the mystical world of mermaids with poignant reflections on mental health and the devastating effects of human waste and pollution. Through captivating storytelling, imagery and performance by Dayva, he's crafted a thought-provoking narrative that lingers long after the credits roll.

My favorite part about the film which was also my least favorite was how Nell came in to save the day with zero expectations like the white savior that we see in so many Hollywood films. Nell's journey in the story reveals that she is a covert narcissist exploiting Oee for her own benefit to further the book she is writing.

Without giving away spoilers the ending will leave you wondering what is fact and fiction. I usually don't like these types of endings bc I find them lazy but this one was sincerely a thoughtful and creative choice.