Lola

The first grandmother is trying to get money for her murdered grandson's funeral, the other for her grandson's release from prison. The two old women are not only connected by the crime their progeny got involved in. They also share poverty that makes their vexing burdens even heavier. The director follows the parallel stories of the two women. He observes without judgement, and the documentary approach almost wipes out the importance of the difference between the victim and the culprit of one specific crime. The hand-held camera is patiently fixed on the faces of the two old ladies and shows how their everyday troubles are affected by material scarcity. This slow drama is set in the soaking slums, and the omnipresent water and rain symbolise the ambivalence of life and death. (Febiofest)