The grass will always be greener on the other side, especially when your side is covered in graffiti and tight city streets. Malta, which recently premiered at the South By Southwest Film and TV Festival, isn’t just an exotic locale or just the title of this film, it’s the promise of a new beginning for our protagonist Mariana. An unknown land full of rich history, perfectly removed from the brutal history that Mariana lives through constantly in Bogotá, Colombia. The story of Malta is universal, but the character study at the center of the film elevates it above some of the tropes that it carries. 

The plot is primarily episodic as Mariana struggles through the pillars of adulthood: work, family, and relationships. She takes evening classes learning German, works at a drab call center, and has a tendency to go to bars alone in search of one-night stands. All the while, her position as the problem child in the family makes things incredibly awkward at home. She eventually starts a relationship with a classmate, which forces her to confront not only her past trauma but her current goal of escaping Bogotá as well. 

Estefania Piñeres’ performance as Mariana is electric, cracking like lightning at a moment’s notice. At times almost too inaccessible but always intriguing, her facial expressions carry the emotional weight of the film. Piñeres’ face is the sun that the camera orbits around, allowing for a truly intimate experience in some moments and slight confusion in others. The supporting ensemble performances range from decent to memorable, but their chemistry together is incredibly strong. Mariana and her family are the prime example of that camaraderie. The actors who portray her family members carry years of history in every scene. 

Their family home feels so alive and lived in, which can be in stark contrast to some of the other locations that feel more overtly like film locations. While the family home looks like people have been living there for many years, some of the other places in the film look too polished and put together. 

There are times when the sequences of events in the film are ambiguous. It may take a few moments to discern where a given scene is taking place and why. Unfortunately, this ambiguity carries into the finale as well. Not every element of the plot requires explanation, but leaving room for too many questions can take away from the overall viewing experience. This movie is one of those cases, but the biggest takeaway for Malta is the central performance. From the very first frame, Piñeres delivers an unflinching, raw portrayal that will stick with me long after watching the film.

Review Courtesy of Gabe Lillianthal at SXSW 2024

Image via IMDb; Credit to Director, Natalia Santa