Sebastián Lelio’s New Musical Film Captures the 2018 Chilean Feminist Movement
At Cannes, Oscar-winning director Sebastián Lelio unveils “La ola” (The Wave), a musical portrayal of the feminist movement that shook Chile in 2018.
The film, part of Cannes Première, a non-competitive section, tells the story of a wave of protests in South America against sexual abuse, domestic violence, and outdated practices in universities and schools.
The Story of Julia, a Music Student Turned Feminist Leader
Lelio, 51, follows Julia, a music student who becomes embroiled in the protests and eventually leads them.
One of the opening scenes sets the tone: students exit their classrooms, performing a mass choreography, and unfurl a banner reading “In this university, rapists are graduated“.
“A Contemporary Musical”
Lelio, who won the Oscar for Best International Feature with “La mujer fantástica” (2017), explains that he was living in Germany but visited Chile when the movement erupted.
“I saw the march of women with colorful masks, many exposing their breasts,” he told AFP. “I found it incredibly powerful and rebellious.”
He saw the movement as a perfect subject for a contemporary musical, a genre with limited tradition in Latin America.
Lelio appreciates the “inventiveness” and “expressionism” in musicals, as a way to “escape the anchor of realism,” which he believes has limitations.
Although inspired loosely by 2018 university protests, Lelio emphasizes the importance of grounding the film in real experiences and testimonies.
The Musical and Choreographic Challenge
Lelio acknowledges the complexity of blending writing, songs, and melodies for this project.
Some musical numbers echo the viral feminist collective Las Tesis and their performance of “Un violador en tu camino” in 2019.
“The Waves Return”
Lelio describes “La ola” as his most labor-intensive project due to its scale and the mass auditions in acting schools.
He cast actors with limited cinematic experience but a remarkable ability to adapt and learn quickly.
The cast’s familiarity with protests and their lived experiences during those months added authenticity to the film.
Lelio’s Focus on Women’s Stories
Known for his films centered around strong women, Lelio understands that “The Wave” is released at a time when some countries are regressing on women’s rights.
“The pendulum swings back, and there’s a backlash against women’s advancements,” he says. “But the pendulum swings both ways, and the waves will recede and return.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is “La ola” about? It’s a musical film by Sebastián Lelio that captures the 2018 Chilean feminist movement, focusing on protests against sexual abuse, domestic violence, and outdated practices in universities and schools.
- Why did Lelio choose a musical genre? He saw it as an opportunity to break away from realism and incorporate inventiveness, expressionism, and playfulness.
- How did Lelio ensure authenticity in the film? He conducted thorough research, interviewing people who experienced the movement and gathering testimonies.
- What challenges did Lelio face while making “La ola”? Blending writing, songs, and melodies proved to be complex. Casting actors with limited cinematic experience but strong adaptability was another challenge.
- What is the significance of releasing “La ola” now? Lelio acknowledges that some countries are regressing on women’s rights, but he believes the pendulum will swing back, and the waves of progress will return.
