-Written by Michelle Vorob.
2024 FILM MAUDIT 2.0 REVIEW!
Retornar is a Spanish language sci-fi short film about the last nine living humans on Earth and their journey towards a big “reset”. Set in the Andes in the year 2222, Retornar, according to the synopsis, means “to return, to come back”, although how that pertains to this story is unknown until the final reveal.
Done in animation, the style is reminiscent of 1980s video game graphics and made me think of “Pitfall.” As it opens, we learn through narration that Earth has been plundered of the last of it's natural resources, then the powerful and the government left the Earth in spaceships, leaving the civilian population to die. Really doesn't sound far-fetched.
The first person we see is Santiago (Santiago Tamayo Soler). Soler is also the director of Retornar [and works as a multidisciplinary artist]. We follow his character's journey during these last days, from sleeping in a cave, to inexplicably traveling until he reaches a large, blue orb. He touches the orb and is transported to a dreamlike dance club in the clouds. He's greeted by a dance angel entity, who explains that all will be revealed once everyone arrives. Until then, everyone is encouraged to dance. This environment looks like a 90s chat room. Everyone can chat on a live message board while dancing, but it's immaterial. They like the music, but obviously are curious as to what's happening.
None of the other characters in Retornar have any development, but really, it's a story driven by the narrative of Earth's destruction, not the last few people's experience of it. Retornar actually could have even been done as audio only, with some background images that tie everything together.
Once all nine remaining people arrive at the dance club in the clouds, the host entity gathers everyone together. They learn why they've been gathered; due to the environmental destruction, mostly caused by the world's leaders, all remaining life on Earth will be eliminated. They have been chosen for their varied genetic information, which will be transformed and used to reset new life on Earth, for a new species.
I must say, although I wondered about the choice of graphics while watching this film, I never questioned the relevance and message of Retornar. The 80s and 90s were a time when modern environmental destruction kind of exploded, while we all relished in the excess hairspray, Atari consoles, and VCRs, many of us none the wiser. The more I thought on that and the message of Retornar, the more Soler's choice of graphics and visuals resonated with me.
I'll leave you with a quote from the end of Retornar: “We thank you for your existence… regret the mistakes… and hope that with these fixes the next species will turn out better than before. Farewell.”
Directed and Written by Santiago Tamayo Soler.
Starring ACABDADDY, Araya Guanipa, Chris Vargas, Claudia Burneo, CUARTABABY, Ileana Hernández Camacho, Rafa Santos, RICORICA, Santiago Tamayo Soler, & Tony Maigua.
8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
