The backdrop of a picturesque and breathtaking landscape of the early 19th century Hispaniola exudes a cinematic grandeur that entices the viewer to indulge in the riveting story of the film, “Under the Same Sun” (“Bajo El Mismo Sol”). With award-winning Spanish director and screenwriter Ulises Porra at the helm, he brings an outstanding ensemble of three young actors: David Castillo as Lazaro, the Spanish heir and settler; first time actress Valentina Shen Wu as Mei, the Chinese companion silk weaver; and Jean Jean as Baptiste, the Haitian army deserter.
The lives of Mei, Lazaro, and Baptiste link up while navigating the vast expanse of land searching for two reasons: a place to stay and a an area fit for silk production. As trade partners, Lazaro and Mei are focused on establishing the commerce in the island. Baptiste, who gets the upper hand by occupying Lazaro’s house first, perceives this meeting as an opportunity to seize control and sustain himself for the long haul, thus he joins them. At the onset, the three may have seemed to form a favourable alliance; but as soon as they start navigating the commercial, cultural, and political tapestry of the community they are dealing with, each of their hidden personal agenda slowly unravels.
The dynamics of the trio buoys up an incalculable tension and sustained conflict throughout the film. Baptiste perpetuates his power grab by exposing Lazaro’s weaknesses and drawing Mei’s support. Mei, on the other hand, wields her expertise and knowledge while carefully pacing her environs for her own interest. So as to compensate for his exposed inadequacies, Lazaro ditches trust and breeds contempt over Baptiste, resorting to an act of betrayal. Inevitably, their fractured relationship is reduced into a panic and survival mode leading to an ominous life and death situation.
Porra effectively steers this gripping film with utter rawness in order to accentuate the vulnerability of humanity. He utilizes the subtlety and majesty of nature to collocate the same human emotion. Silkworm embodies the intricacy and fragility of geopolitics that is starkly pervasive then, and more so now in terms of world order; thus he delineates this insect as a tangible image of a rather serpentine concept of power, greed, and betrayal.
Amid the film’s overarching theme of greed, power, and betrayal, the intersectionality of race, gender, and class also comes into play with the characters. Mei is an Asian woman who, despite the blatant biases from everyone, manages to express her strength and willpower through her femininity; Lazaro is a European man who exploits his high class status to accomplish his end goal; and Baptiste is an African man who overcomes his inferior status and race by asserting his beliefs and principles no matter the consequence.
Porra describes his latest ‘obra’ during our exclusive one-on-one interview before the film’s premiere presentation at TIFF50. He says that his film
”questions about the capability of understanding each other and the possibility to step back, the ones who have the power, maybe learn and ask themselves what to do with this power… in order to be part of something bigger”….
We were also privileged to have a sit-down interview with the cast which unraveled their dynamic and friendly personas. It was a divergence from the characters they portrayed in the film. Lead actors David Castillo, Valentina Shen Wu, and Jean Jean collectively enthused about their film experience. David thinks that his role, Lazaro, was in some way tailored, mirroring some of his own traits. Valentina, a newcomer, is pleased and grateful for all the support. As a first time actress, Wu portrays Mei without any hint of reservation and aloofness. Jean, meanwhile, is pleased and beams that the role of Baptiste was a dream role destined for himself.
Right after TIFF50, “Under the Same Sun” was recognized in another film festival with the top prize for best film, “Biarritz Award,” at the Biarritz International Festival of Latin American Cinema. It also won the Biarritz Jury´s Award, Fiction Competition; and French Film Critics Award. It will not be surprising if “Under the Same Sun” will collect more awards from other international award-giving bodies in the near future.
Beyond Porra’s adept direction, writing, and cinematography of this film lies his recurring vision of bringing to international stage a well crafted Spanish narrative that rightfully underscores the historical struggles of its people. Fortunately, “Under the Same Sun” does not employ non-stop action, costly sets, well known celebrities, and run of the mill high technology. In fact, Porra defies all these by making use of minimalism that brings to the fore the excellent acting on screen that ultimately conveys the message of the film to its audience. More than just entertainment, “Under the Same Sun” is what a bonafide film is all about. ####