“I’ve been told that in the Japanese tradition, when a family member is sick, you have to fold a thousand paper cranes for them to heal.We had to stop at 400”.
Guaxuma, a heart-breakingly tender film about love and loss, is a biographical story that recollects the bond shared between two best friends that grew up together from infancy to young adulthood.
From the creative animation that includes a washboard of sand and little marionettes to illustrate Nara (narrator) and Tayra (best friend) growing up on the beach, to photographs and shots of the beach, it is easy to follow along and enjoy this story. This reviewer enjoyed the real-life photographs included on Nara’s life: her mom pregnant on the beach, Nara and Tarya together, a group of children posing on the patio. Seeing these photos connects us to Nara and puts usin her shoes.
This touching film shows the impact one person can have. It shows that people leave a mark on us through small, impactful ways. Nara retells how Tarya was always the daring one, encouraging her to face fears. Tarya was the kind of best friend that remained true, even when they grew up and distance separated them. Nara touches upon her parents split and moving inland. This made her visits to the beach far and few between. The narrator explains how strange it is going back to a childhood home. Things move on, people age, friendships grow apart. Everything is the same, but different-- except Nara and Tarya’s friendship. Even with time apart, when they reunited, it was as if no time had passed. They had a strong bond, one where they shared all their secrets.
There’s a shift in storytelling when we learn that Tarya dies. It is undisclosed as to why Tarya dies, but we understand that it was painful for Nara. She recalls how it was an overcast rainy day when her best friend died, and how her life resembled a harsh winter day. She would dream of Tarya’s ghost. Tarya was still very much alive within Nara.
This film might leave you feeling heavy as it finishes with animated paper cranes flying out over the beach. Nara singing softly, “Do you realize that everyone you know, someday, you’ll die. Instead of saying all of your goodbyes. Let them know you realize the light goes past, it’s hard to make the good things last.”
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Photos courtesy of FLYING FILM FESTIVAL
About the Author:
Francesca Baron is a freelance Chicago based choreographic + performing artist. Graduating cum laude with dual degrees in Dance and Psychology from Lindenwood University. Francesca is drawn to dance because it allows for dynamic expression through the instrument of one’s body. Making it a priority to travel and train in leading modern/contemporary dance forms, Francesca has attended The American Dance Festival (NC), One Body, One Career intensive (Amsterdam, NL), FACT S/F workshop (CA), New Dialect intensive (TN), LINK Dance Festival (UT), and Detroit Dance City Festival (MI), as well as many Chicago festivals and intensives. She has also been commissioned to create works for Inaside Chicago Dance, Esoteric Dance Project, New Dances 2019, and Lindenwood University. Currently, she is a company member of Still Inspired(?) as they prepare for their sixth season.
Learn more about Francesca at Francesca Baron website
