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TIFF Review: Querido Tropico (Ana Endara, 2024)

Posted on
17 Sep 2024
by
Paul

At first glance, Ana María and Mercedes could not be more dissimilar. The former is a Colombian immigrant in Panama, struggling to get by and in search of a future for herself while the latter is a high-class woman whose life and place in the social hierarchy is well established, but who is losing her very identity through the onset of dementia. And while they may seem an odd couple, Querido Trópico tells the story of how they come together and even come to rely on one another.

Querido Trópico, which had its world premiere recently at TIFF, is the first fictional feature from director Ana Endara, who has previously worked exclusively as a documentarian. Unsurprisingly, much of the film has a slightly documentary-ish feel to it, with the camera lingering for long takes on its subjects and on the scenery. This helps to draw the audience into the story, as do the performances of its two leads, Jenny Navarette and Paulina García, who bring a very human quality to their portrayal of Ana María and Mercedes, respectively.

The story begins with Ana María agreeing to take on the job of caregiver to Mercedes and while their relationship is a bit tense to begin with (Mercedes casually accuses Ana María of stealing from her early on), they slowly form a bond as the older woman begins to not only rely on the younger woman for assistance but in turn starts to care for her caregiver. Overall, Querido Trópico is an affecting portrait of friendship and an examination of what it truly means to both care for and to take care of someone else.

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