© Natalia Burbano / Contravía Films
Set against the serene backdrop of the Colombian jungle, “I Saw Three Black Lights” unfolds as an evocative exploration into the realms of heritage, mortality, and the profound connection to ancestral lands and culture. Directed by Santiago Lozano Álvarez, this film transcends the boundaries of conventional storytelling, creating a mesmerizing audiovisual experience that honors Afro-Colombian and Indigenous cultures and confronts the ominous threats of external violence.
Directed by: Santiago Lozano Álvarez
Year: 2024
Country: Colombia, Mexico, France, Germany
Length: 87 minutes
The story centers on José de los Santos, portrayed by Jésus María Mina, a 70-year-old man deeply connected to the rituals of his ancestors, enslaved Africans brought to Colombia. As a spiritual guide, José uses these rituals to help deceased community members transcend to eternal rest. The plot thickens when José encounters the spirit of his deceased son, Pium Pium, who foretells José’s impending death, urging him to return to his ancestral land. Amidst this personal journey, José grapples with the fear that his traditions and the wisdom of his ancestors may perish with him, especially as violence threatens the very fabric of his community.
Álvarez’s skills as a director particularly shine through his careful and respectful integration of cultural and religious beliefs within the film’s naturalistic setting, merging the two together through both visuals and sound. This achievement, reminiscent of the spiritually fueled works of celebrated director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, avoids the potential pitfall of rendering spiritual elements as misplaced or fantastical. Instead, these aspects are portrayed with a depth and sincerity that enrich the narrative, inviting viewers into a world where spiritual and earthly realms are seamlessly intertwined.
Central to this narrative is the character of José de los Santos, brought to life with remarkable depth by Jésus María Mina. Mina’s silently jarring performance encapsulates a man imbued with wisdom and a tangible sense of loss as he confronts the erosion of his ancestral traditions. Despite this sense of defeat, José’s character serves as a symbol of resistance, determined to preserve his heritage. Mina’s ability to convey a range of complex emotions, particularly through the expressiveness of his eyes during the emotionally charged reunion with his deceased son, Pium Pium, is a testament to his exceptional acting prowess.
The film skillfully juxtaposes the serenity of cultural rituals against the abrupt intrusion of militaristic violence and harsh mechanical labor. This stark contrast is further accentuated through the film’s sound design, which harmonizes the tranquility of natural sounds and traditional music with the jarring reality of gunshots and machinery. This auditory landscape highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain cultural identity amidst conflict and deepens the viewer’s immersion into the narrative’s contrasting worlds.
“I Saw Three Black Lights” is a powerful call to the preservation of marginalized cultures in Colombia, by highlighting the importance of rituals and community, set against a backdrop that threatens these elements. Santiago Lozano Álvarez has crafted a film that is both a visual and auditory achievement and a jarring commentary on the resistance of culture against forces that seek to silence it.
“I Saw Three Black Lights” premiered at the 2024 Berlinale Film Festival as part of the festival’s Panorama selection.
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