A journey home: Exploring family ties in ‘Death Brought You Back’
A tale of estrangement and reconciliation
In the evocative film Death Brought You Back (La muerte te vio volver), director Sebastián Cuevas delves into the complexities of family relationships. The narrative follows Silvia, portrayed by Patricia Cuyul, who returns home after a 30-year absence, coaxed by her ailing mother and estranged sister, played by Paola Lattus. This debut film from Cuevas has been selected for Sanfic Industria’s Ibero-American Works In Progress lineup, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Watch the trailer for Death Brought You Back
The making of a poignant story
In 2023, Death Brought You Back received crucial financing from the Regional Audiovisual Fund and the Development Fund of the Audiovisual Fund of MINCAP, Chile. The film had previously participated in various film labs in the region, including the Sanfic Lab, Lab Cinelebu, and the 2nd CCC Co-Production Meeting, with mentorship from notable figures like Christopher Murray and Jose Luis Torres Leiva.
Produced by Catalina Alarcón at Amanda Puga’s Southern-Chilean outfit Praxia and Santiago-based Mala Films, the script was co-written by Cuevas and Paula Armstrong. The narrative focuses on the emotional chasm between siblings as they come together to confront their mother’s deteriorating health.
A director’s personal journey
Cuevas shared his inspiration for the film, stating, “While I was studying, my first big goal was to write and direct a film that talked about my roots, my ancestors. I took a piece of my family’s history that no one wanted to talk about and captured it in the pages of a script.”
The film’s setting, a mystical and remote island, serves as an adversarial protagonist. Its solemn, hazy days transition into tranquil, half-eerie nights, mirroring the tension between the sisters. The island’s atmosphere is almost a character in itself, adding depth to the story.
The island of Chiloé: A character in its own right
Alarcón emphasized the film’s unique setting, “It’s a sensitive and authorial film that explores family secrets and the pain of a family’s past. Produced entirely in the south of Chile, on the island of Chiloé, our film seeks to portray and preserve the atmospheric, sensory, and observational tone that the island and its inhabitants possess.”
Cuevas added, ”I’ve always felt connected to the Big Island of Chiloé. My thoughts, desires, and goals reside there. I feel that a part of me belongs to the island, and that was the genesis of telling this story.”
Rather than focusing on the island’s myths and legends, Cuevas was drawn to its people, their fears, and the loneliness many experience. These elements, combined with the island’s atmosphere and landscapes, elevate the story to a universal level.
A slow-burn odyssey toward healing
Silvia’s return home is fraught with tension and unresolved issues. Her inheritance is at stake, and she finds herself at the center of her grief, navigating a thorny past. This slow-burn odyssey toward reconciliation is a testament to the power of facing one’s fears and traumas.
Cuevas reflected, “I think we all want to go home at some point in our lives. We feel that desire to return to the place we were born and raised. Even though it’s sometimes painful, we must face it in order to close cycles and heal. It’s difficult because no one wants to face rejection or those fears that become traumas and pains that we carry throughout our entire lives.”
Looking ahead: New projects on the horizon
Cuevas is already working on his next film, Los susurros del viento del desierto. He shared, “I constantly return to the place I grew up; a poor, marginal commune on the outskirts of Santiago where I’m proud to belong. Despite experiencing my greatest pains and fears there, I also have very good memories. It makes me very happy.”
He concluded, “We can return home in different ways, at different times, but I think what’s important is that we do return.”
Death Brought You Back is a powerful exploration of family, memory, and the places we call home. It invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys and the ties that bind us to our past.