The Echo

Helmed by Tatiana Huezo, The Echo takes viewers into the heart of the rural Mexican village of El Eco where they follow the everyday lives of one family. Captured with subtle grace and beauty, the filmmaker weaves various incidental moments together to create an insightful examination of themes of growing up, sexism, family, death and nature.

The documentary primarily centres around teenager Montserrat. With her father working away on labouring jobs, she lives and works on a farm with her mother, younger siblings and elderly abuelita, whom she lovingly bathes and ensures is wearing the correct glasses. Much of the film features scenes of the children playing with the farm animals whenever they’re not working with them, creating a down-to-earth atmosphere removed from modernity.

Amongst these instances of carefree childhood glee, however, there are smaller moments that give a stronger impression of the village’s traditional attitudes and how they’ve begun to change throughout the generations. One of the most telling scenes sees the father tell his young son to leave his plate at the table because it’s the woman’s job to clean it. Themes of sexism are also reflected in an argument between the father and mother where the man believes his spouse doesn’t do anything of value despite the tireless work she’s seen doing on the farm.

More interestingly, though, a generational shift can be observed. Whereas the teenager’s grandmother and mother had no choice but to work, the youngster is determined that she’ll finish school and leave life on the farm far behind. Education is now more important within the community than in previous years, with the youngest members of the family attending elementary school and even pretending to be in a classroom while playing at home.

Documentaries are intended to capture life in its purest form. With The Echo, Huezo excels at depicting the nuances of a small Mexican community so well that this film could be viewed as an equally compelling drama.

Andrew Murray

The Echo is released in select cinemas on 26^th July 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Echo here: