

Movie spotlight
Bardo
During the period of mourning lasting 49 days after her mother’s death, Seon is told that her mother was actually a daughter of a shaman family and will be reborn as her daughter. Seon is doubtful about this story. She wants to prove that her mother’s chronic headache was not due to repudiation of serving Sea God. However, on the 49th day after mother’s death, Seon delivers a daughter and believes the baby is her mother. She disappears into the sea with her baby.
Insights
Plot Summary
A globally recognized journalist and documentary filmmaker returns to his native Mexico, grappling with existential dread, identity crises, and an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. As he navigates his complex relationships and confronts his past, he embarks on a surreal, dreamlike journey through his own memories and the country's socio-political landscape. The film blurs the lines between reality and imagination, exploring themes of family, homeland, and the burden of success.
Critical Reception
Bardo received mixed reviews from critics. While many praised Iñárritu's ambitious visual style and personal exploration, others found the film to be overly long, self-indulgent, and thematically unfocused. Audience reactions were similarly divided, with some appreciating its artistic merits and others finding it inaccessible.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its stunning visuals and the director's personal vision.
Criticized for its excessive length and perceived self-indulgence.
Seen by some as a profound, albeit challenging, exploration of identity and Mexican society.
Google audience: Google users generally found Bardo to be a visually impressive film with a deeply personal narrative from the director. However, many expressed that the movie's lengthy runtime and abstract nature made it difficult to connect with or fully appreciate.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for Best Cinematography at the 95th Academy Awards. Nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language. Nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at the 79th Golden Globe Awards.
Fun Fact
The film was shot in various locations across Mexico City, with the production meticulously recreating elements of Iñárritu's own childhood memories and experiences.
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