DIRECTOR: Rodrigo Patino
STARRING: Freddy Chipana, Alejandro Maranon
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 19 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish
A prosecutor, a father and his son fight to survive and seek justice in the midst of a mob-driven lynching in a Bolivian town, exposing the dangerous consequences of vigilante justice.
***
Own Hand is the latest film from director Rodrigo Patiño. This is the second time that he's been submitted by Bolivia following The Goalkeeper in 2018. The film is based on the award-winning chronicle Tribes of the Inquisition by journalist Roberto Navia. The film made its worldwide debut on September 19th across Bolivia.
Multicine Bolivia announced the news on September 17th that Own Hand would be submitted for the Oscars. In its first public presentations in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, Own Hand has garnered praise from critics and viewers, standing out for its powerful narrative and direction. The film addresses deeply human and social themes, aligned with the quality of the productions selected for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars.
The film was produced by Claudia Gaensel under Macondo Cine.
Own Hand is a drama and it was filmed in Villa Nogales in Bolivia.
To check out all previous submissions for Bolivia, click HERE.
STARRING: Freddy Chipana, Alejandro Maranon
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 19 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish
A prosecutor, a father and his son fight to survive and seek justice in the midst of a mob-driven lynching in a Bolivian town, exposing the dangerous consequences of vigilante justice.
***
Own Hand is the latest film from director Rodrigo Patiño. This is the second time that he's been submitted by Bolivia following The Goalkeeper in 2018. The film is based on the award-winning chronicle Tribes of the Inquisition by journalist Roberto Navia. The film made its worldwide debut on September 19th across Bolivia.
Multicine Bolivia announced the news on September 17th that Own Hand would be submitted for the Oscars. In its first public presentations in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, Own Hand has garnered praise from critics and viewers, standing out for its powerful narrative and direction. The film addresses deeply human and social themes, aligned with the quality of the productions selected for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars.
The film was produced by Claudia Gaensel under Macondo Cine.
Own Hand is a drama and it was filmed in Villa Nogales in Bolivia.
To check out all previous submissions for Bolivia, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Things work differently here.”
Own Hand is a gripping and thought-provoking Bolivian film that delves deep into the harsh realities of mob justice in rural communities. Set against the backdrop of the tragic lynching incident that occurred on June 1, 2013, in a small town in the Bolivian tropics, the film masterfully weaves together the stories of Mario Vega, a prosecutor trying to prevent the lynching, Miguel, a desperate father, and Adrián, one of the accused young men. The film successfully highlights the frustration and desperation felt by communities when institutional justice fails them, and the devastating consequences that can arise when people take the law into their own hands.
The performances are one of the film’s greatest strengths. The cast, particularly those portraying the three main characters, brings a raw and emotional depth to their roles. Mario Vega’s struggle to uphold justice in the face of overwhelming odds is both heartbreaking and inspiring, while Miguel’s portrayal of a father battling to save his son is equally powerful. Adrián, caught in the whirlwind of accusations, adds a human touch to the tragedy, making the film’s exploration of mob mentality even more poignant. Each actor fully inhabits their role, making the emotional weight of the story all the more palpable for the audience.
While the film tackles a dark subject matter, it does so with an authenticity that makes it both compelling and important. The script doesn’t shy away from portraying the brutal realities of lynching and the societal fractures that contribute to it, yet it also provides moments of humanity and connection that offer a glimpse into the lives of those affected by these tragedies. The filmmakers clearly aimed to make the story accessible to a wider audience, and they succeeded, ensuring that viewers outside of Bolivia can understand and engage with the themes of justice, inequality, and the human cost of violence.
The film makes effective use of its setting, capturing the tension and isolation of the town where the lynching takes place. The film is set in a gritty reality. The natural landscapes of the Bolivian tropics provide a striking contrast to the violent acts unfolding in the town, adding a layer of depth to the film’s exploration of human nature and societal breakdown.
Own Hand is a powerful and sobering film that shines a light on a tragic aspect of Bolivian society. By focusing on both the personal and societal dimensions of the lynching, the film manages to tell a story that is both uniquely Bolivian and universally relevant. This is an important work of cinema that deserves to be seen and discussed.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Things work differently here.”
Own Hand is a gripping and thought-provoking Bolivian film that delves deep into the harsh realities of mob justice in rural communities. Set against the backdrop of the tragic lynching incident that occurred on June 1, 2013, in a small town in the Bolivian tropics, the film masterfully weaves together the stories of Mario Vega, a prosecutor trying to prevent the lynching, Miguel, a desperate father, and Adrián, one of the accused young men. The film successfully highlights the frustration and desperation felt by communities when institutional justice fails them, and the devastating consequences that can arise when people take the law into their own hands.
The performances are one of the film’s greatest strengths. The cast, particularly those portraying the three main characters, brings a raw and emotional depth to their roles. Mario Vega’s struggle to uphold justice in the face of overwhelming odds is both heartbreaking and inspiring, while Miguel’s portrayal of a father battling to save his son is equally powerful. Adrián, caught in the whirlwind of accusations, adds a human touch to the tragedy, making the film’s exploration of mob mentality even more poignant. Each actor fully inhabits their role, making the emotional weight of the story all the more palpable for the audience.
While the film tackles a dark subject matter, it does so with an authenticity that makes it both compelling and important. The script doesn’t shy away from portraying the brutal realities of lynching and the societal fractures that contribute to it, yet it also provides moments of humanity and connection that offer a glimpse into the lives of those affected by these tragedies. The filmmakers clearly aimed to make the story accessible to a wider audience, and they succeeded, ensuring that viewers outside of Bolivia can understand and engage with the themes of justice, inequality, and the human cost of violence.
The film makes effective use of its setting, capturing the tension and isolation of the town where the lynching takes place. The film is set in a gritty reality. The natural landscapes of the Bolivian tropics provide a striking contrast to the violent acts unfolding in the town, adding a layer of depth to the film’s exploration of human nature and societal breakdown.
Own Hand is a powerful and sobering film that shines a light on a tragic aspect of Bolivian society. By focusing on both the personal and societal dimensions of the lynching, the film manages to tell a story that is both uniquely Bolivian and universally relevant. This is an important work of cinema that deserves to be seen and discussed.
