NUEVE NUDOS
NINE KNOTS
Lorena Colmenares / Venezuela / 2017 / 11 min / Black and white
Faced with the death of their mother, Maria and José find themselves alone. Following the ancient tradition, they intertwine nine knots and for each of these say a prayer for the deceased and express a wish. Little Maria learned the ancient rite from her mother, and Josè had learned from their father how to tie the knots. Then, with their small efforts and great dignity as children, they say their last farewell to the spirit of the mother who no longer lives on Earth. The director's choice of black and white incises with a band of white light the miserable home of the children, makes the rough and windy mountains seem even farther away and indifferent to human affairs, isolates the knotted crosses and emphasises the fatigue and conscious pain in the faces of children.
Lorena Colmenares
Born in Barquisimeto (Venezuela) in 1992, she studied audio-visuals and film at the Universidad del los Andes. She has made numerous short films, among these Bosque Muerto, winner of the International Film Festival Giulio Questi (2015), Asfixia, awarded a prize at the Festival de Cine Venezolano (2016) and Nueve nudos, Special Mention from the jury at the 41st Montréal World Film Festival (2017).
Credits
Subject Lorena ColmenaresScreenplay Lorena ColmenaresCinematography Ever DuránSound Claret CanelónEditing Lorena ColmenaresMain cast Daniel Lobo, Sofía BriceñoProducer Lorena Colmenares