Sundance Film Festival 2022 Premiere – The dreamlike Huella from writer, director Gabriela Ortega relates the familiar story of a woman whose disconnect from home is highlighted by a family death. In this case, however, power is found with a forceful visit, and heritage is restored. Mixing various techniques in presentation and storytelling we are treated to a yarn of a woman being reminded of her lineage and power.

Daniela (Shakira Barrera) is awakened by a nightmare filled with visions of her Abuela, Leonora’s (Denise Blasor) passing. Daniela gets up and begins her remote workday as a customer service agent for a travel company. A riot of idiotic calls is fielded in a drab apartment via headset. Soon enough Daniela hits a wall and begins to wander the expanse of her minimal square footage. Recently deceased grandmother, Leonora sits on the far end of a room, leering, ready to remind Daniela that she is more than a person navigating discrepancies from a headset.

Using the power of flamenco as a method of connection, Ortega’s short film nimbly connects the mourning and regret of being absent at the passing of a matriarch with the power passed on to the living. Through flashback, we discover notes of Leonora’s past. These are paired with Daniela’s seemingly trite phone battles with disgruntled customers.

Vicente Manzano’s careful editing keeps the narrative on track, dancing between drab reality and expressive supernatural moments. Barrera‘s performance as a maxed-out customer service rep paired with Blasor‘s elemental performance as the familial past is pretty impressive. Of course, this works due to Ortega’s script and approach to magical realism. You would expect for a supernatural visit to go south, but quick.  Huella leaves us lightly shook, and reminded of the power we are handed over from our heritage.

More, please.

7 Out of 10