A small film with a big heart, Left Unsaid, a Portuguese film makes world premiere at 55th IFFI

Goa:26/11/24:‘Left Unsaid’ (Lo Que No Se Dijo), a heartfelt Portuguese film by filmmaker Ricardo Valenzuela Pinilla, made its world premiere at the 55^th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Screened under the “Cinema of the World” section, the film delves into the complexities of interpersonal communication amidst the advent of mobile technology. Speaking at the Press conference in IFFI, Director Ricardo Valenzuela Pinilla discussed his debut feature film.

Set in Southern Chile during 1994, ‘Left Unsaid’ tells the poignant story of Margarita, a single mother juggling her career as a mobile phone seller, and the struggles of her strained relationships in her personal life. The juxtaposition of her profession, offering mediums of connectivity, and her inability to connect with her mother forms the emotional core of the film.

“This story draws from my own life,” shared the Director. “The main character is inspired by my mother, who had the same job during the 1990s, traveling to rural areas to introduce people to mobile technology. It was a challenging time when people resisted the idea of abandoning traditional ways of communication.”

‘Left Unsaid’ captures the 90’s essence with meticulous attention to detail; the Director noted, “We didn’t have advanced technology to recreate the time, but the art department did a phenomenal job. There’s still not much difference between rural Chile then and now, which helped in building the authenticity.”

“We worked with a small crew and cast, many non-professional actors most of whom were locals,” said Pinilla. “It was a difficult but rewarding process. This is a small film with a big heart despite budget constraints.”

Pinilla, who is also the film’s writer and music composer, emphasized the underlying message of the film: the paradox of the idea of modern communication. “Ironically, we are more connected than ever through smartphones and social media, yet our interpersonal relationships have deteriorated,” he said.

As the founder of Delavida Films, established in 2013, Pinilla is passionate about elevating independent Latin American cinema. “We don’t have an established film industry in my country, but through collaborations, like our co-production with Colombia, we are growing. Being here at IFFI is a significant milestone. I am proud to represent Latin America and my region’s stories.”

‘Left Unsaid’ is a timeless reflection on the challenges of connection. “Whether in 1994 or 2024, the internal battles remain the same. The technology may have evolved, but the human desire for genuine connection still remains the same,” Pinilla concluded.

Watch Press conference here: