LITIGANTE

'LITIGANTE' TRAILER

Sanin is a writer, not an actress, but you would never know it. Originally brought on board as a casting director, she insisted on auditioning, and the part was hers. This film is all the better for it, as she brings a completely natural and authentic embodiment of the character to the screen, perfectly matching the tones of the film. It is not over-acted because it can't be, with most of the words being improvised on set. It's her strong shoulders that this film sits on, and there is barely a frame in the film that Silvia is not present in. 'Litigante' is strung together by all these small, tender character moments, and yet flows like one long chapter in Silvia's life. She plays the part with integrity, realism, and most importantly, an unwavering endurance.

It may only be halfway through 2020, but I can categorically announce that the award for best child actor this year goes to Antonio Martinez, who plays his namesake Antonio, the five-year-old son of Silvia. He is absolutely phenomenal throughout the film, bringing so much joy to his already present childish innocence. He is so sweet, and carries with him a beautiful and infectious spirit that can be felt by all those around him. What's more impressive is that, according to Lolli, his lines were also improvised, which shows that his nurturing and positive energy was completely genuine. It really shines on the screen, and you get the sense that he would have been an absolute delight to deal with in between takes.

One of the more tender scenes in the film is when the family gather to shave the grandmother's hair, played in the film by Lolli's real-life mother Leticia Gomez, and it is such a powerful and uplifting snapshot of the kind of struggles a family must overcome in this situation. Like Sanin, Gomez brings such an authenticity to the film, and is aided by the improvisational structure of the script. Yes, the improvising shows, but not in a lazy way. The pauses, body movements and organic nature of the words give a real sense of family relationships and their subsequent tensions, especially during the war of words often exchanged between mother and daughter. There is a rhythm and a purpose to every word and every glance, which is no easy achievement, but one that Lolli overcomes through an unflinching lens.

What may feel unnecessary or overindulgent at first always pays off, as Lolli is careful to never waste moments, great examples of which can be found everywhere throughout the film. It can be very dangerous when your entire film is focused on a single entity, but by introducing various aspects of the people in Silvia's life the film never tires, continuing to bring fresh and vivid perspectives of how Silvia responds to those closest to her. She endures, and her inner circle endure her, but ultimately everyone wants what is best, all trying their hardest to be the ideal version of themselves. That may be through navigating a moral compass, or in the grandmother's case, by living life to the fullest, even if it results in a shortened lifespan. Whatever the challenges may be, and however difficult maintaining the relationships proves, it is the sheer love and will of the characters that command the screen and allow the audience to care for the characters.

This is Lolli's second feature film after 'Rodri', and it debuted opening at the Cannes Critics Week in 2019. I really hope 'Litigante' finds its audience, because there is so much to love about this picture. This is an authentic and tender exploration of a family, bookended with delicate - and seemingly organic - family moments. It will leave you smiling, reflective, teary, and hopefully above all else, inspired.

Click here to read our 4.5-star review of 'Litigante'.

To celebrate the release of 'Litigante' in cinemas, we're giving you the chance to win a double pass.

Due to the redeemability of passes, this competition is only open to residents of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

To win one of five double passes thanks to Limelight Distribution, just make sure you follow both steps:

Competition opens at 5:00pm AEST on Thursday 23rd July 2020 and closes at 11:59 pm AEST on Thursday 30th July 2020. Five winners will be chosen at random on Friday 31st July 2020. To successfully win, entrants must fulfil the above entry conditions before the time the competition closes. Current members/followers are eligible to enter the competition. Only one entry per person. Only one winner per household. To be a valid winner, the entrant must not have won a prize from SWITCH within the last 28 days. Each winner will receive one double pass to 'Litigante'. By entering, you agree to receive occasional emails from SWITCH in the future. If you decide to unsubscribe from these updates, any further entries will not be applicable. Only Australian residents are eligible to enter.