Blue Eyelids

Ernesto Contreras’ slow and subtle study of abject loneliness is a curious affair. When Marina (Cecilia Suárez), a nervy, bird-like creature (and much is made of the metaphor) who works in a uniform store, wins a trip for two to a swanky resort, it forces her to face the fact that she has no one to take. Enter Vincent (Enrique Arreola), an equally lonesome dove who steps into Marina’s life at an opportune time and agrees to go with her. First, however, they need to get to know one another. At this stage, Blue Eyelids enters a theatre of humiliation as Marina and Vincent act out a courtship that resurrects painful memories of adolescence. But a feeling of quiet tenderness takes hold as these two souls are entwined inexorably around each other.

Matt Bochenski