Director Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail introduces us to the 77-year old Tereza when she’s paid a visit by the government, honoring her for her advanced age with a medal and decoration on the outside of her home. But this is no ordinary government. In the film’s dystopian society, the celebration of advanced age is much more sinister than meets the eye. Here, when someone turns 80, they’re sent off to a mysterious colony where they’ll never be heard from again. But soon after the film begins, Tereza learns that the age cap has dropped down to 75, and she has just days before she’s sent away. Not ready to give up the life she loves, she embarks on a trip to check off one last item from her bucket list: flying in a plane. The trip takes her on an adventure that will completely change her outlook on her final years, igniting a fight inside of her to reclaim her autonomy.
The film is subtle in its depiction of authoritarianism. There are no militarized police processionals or mass protests. In fact, the first glimpse of government messaging comes in the form of a plane flying overhead preaching the value seniors bring to the community. The laurels placed outside of Tereza’s home aren’t truly a celebration of her age, but a masked mark of the undesirables. Graffiti is hidden in the backgrounds of shots, anonymously speaking out against the government’s treatment of the elderly, and citizens are unable to move freely without identification, with both authorities and local businesses requiring the presentation of papers. We see Tereza’s rights start to disappear, losing her job because of her age, and now needing approval from her daughter to travel. Mascaro doesn’t throw the oppression in our faces, but allows it to seep into the cracks of the film’s story in a way that’s even more unsettling.
“Not ready to give up the life she loves, she embarks on a trip to check off one last item from her bucket list: flying in a plane.”
The visuals in the film are also subversive, avoiding the traditional dark, grey, brutalist environment that dystopian films often embody. Guillermo Garza’s stunning cinematography is a vibrant delight, set against the lush, colorful Amazon rainforest. The lively, natural beauty of Tereza’s surroundings is juxtaposed against the somber tone of her plight. As the film progresses, nature starts to become a driving force behind Tereza’s motivations as she cruises along the serene river, even welcoming the influence of a prophetic snail as her resolve continues to strengthen. For a woman desperate for freedom, the vastness of nature is her guiding light.
The film is anchored by Denise Weinberg’s steady portrayal of Tereza, cycling through a wide array of emotions as her world is turned upside down. She may be old, but it’s clear from the onset that she’s still full of life. Weinberg manages to perfectly encapsulate the rebellious spirit of a woman who refuses to be subjugated. We slowly start to see the performance evolve as her situation becomes more dire, willing to take more chances and opening herself up to the world around her. And above all else, Weinberg creates a character worth rooting for, which keeps the audience engaged and invested in every step of her journey.
The Blue Trail is an examination of not only what it means to be free, but what it feels like to earn that freedom yourself. Tereza shows us that life isn’t over just because you reach a certain age and that the valiant fight for freedom in the face of tyranny is worth every risk.
"…perfectly encapsulate the rebellious spirit of a woman who refuses to be subjugated..."
