A touching tale of two strangers making a connection in Antonina Kerguelen’s short film, ¡SALSA!
Set in a small town in Columbia, Margarita (Saray Nohemi) is a young woman who feels out of place. She has a man to go home to but feels alive and free at the local salsa dance club.
Hitchhiking herself across the country is Liana (Isabelle Troup). She also feels out of place. Not just because she is a foreign traveler but also because she is deaf. When Liana and Margarita meet, they make a connection beyond the vibrant and lively salsa music. A connection that feels right to them but not necessarily to the eyes staring from across the room.
“…a young woman who feels out of place…but she feels alive and free at the local salsa dance club…”
First, the visual tone and cinematography by Mateo López is perfect. The bar’s darkly lit and sweaty feel accentuates the sexual tension between Margarita and Liana. There are very few lines of dialogue in ¡SALSA! as well. Still, the story comes across crystal clear as Kerguelen establishes the life Margarita is expected to live versus the one she wishes to live. All communication is done through subtle facial expressions and body language.
¡SALSA! is a film that allows you to appreciate the art and grounded storytelling that can be achieved primarily through short films.