A young woman is forced to reprioritize her life in filmmaker Pablo Guillen‘s supernatural short film, Bajo La Tierra. This independent film takes an empathetic look at a daughter’s devastation after learning of her mother’s passing. It’s easy to put off spending quality time with loved ones when there is an expectation that you will see them at a future date. Pablo Guillen reminds us that this permanence is never guaranteed, and meaningful relationships should always come before extracurricular obligations.

On Spending Time With Loved Ones Before It’s Too Late

Bajo La Tierra transports the audience to a small isolated ranch in Alta, California. The year is 1845 and Alma (Susana Elena Boyce), a young woman in her early 20s, is determined to lift herself and her mother out of poverty. When Alma was young, she promised her mother Josefa (Ivette González) that she would someday buy them a house in the neighboring metropolitan city. Now an adult, Alma remains determined to keep her promise albeit to an unhealthy degree. Alma is a skilled pottery maker who, every day, is becoming more consumed with her work. Her intentions to make and sell her products are good but she repeatedly prioritizes her business over spending time with her mother. This is a decision she will soon come to regret.

One night, Alama receives word that her mother has tragically passed away. This sends her into a spiral, her mother’s death only fuels her need to stay busy. She purposefully buries herself in her work to avoid the pain of her reality. Alma’s pottery obsession quickly turns toxic as guilt and remorse flood her thoughts. Just as Alma reaches her breaking point, she begins to experience a series of supernatural occurrences that force her to truly examine the present moment. At this point in her grief journey, Alma realizes that it’s up to her to regain control of her life. The alternative is a sad existence of regret, denial, and shame.

Rich is Visual Aesthetics

Pablo Guillen’s Bajo La Tierra is a beautifully crafted short film that is rich in visual aesthetics. Close-ups of dirt and Alma’s meddling hands give the film an intimacy that grounds the viewer in the story. The setting and production design are top-tier, as is the acting. Susana Elena Boyce’s performance as a grieving Alma carries an emotional charge that lights up the film through its realistic and surreal moments.

Takeaway

Bajo La Tierra comes from the AFI Conservatory, indicating a strong emphasis on storytelling and craft. The short film already has 3 wins and 6 nominations to its name, including a BAFTA/LA Student Film nomination for ‘Best Live Action’. Director Pablo Guillen understands how to create a unique and compelling story, and Bajo La Tierra is proof of his successful vision.