Written by Rachael Crawley

The World of Movies is a series that explores global cinema, drawing on films from many countries, industries and eras. This week, a documentary short introduces us to an athlete in northern Mexico.

May contain spoilers.

Lorena, Light-Footed Woman (Juan Carlos Rulfo, 2019) is a movie that doesn’t say much. This isn’t a bad thing – it still conveys a lot. In twenty-eight short minutes, this gorgeous film presents its lead, and the world she lives in, with a concise and understated approach.

While most of us couldn’t even consider a marathon, Lorena Ramirez wins ultramarathons - in sandals and a skirt. She has competed (and won) internationally, and built a name for herself. Over varied terrain, in all kinds of conditions (and I truly mean any conditions), she travels astonishing distances, primarily near her home in the state of Chihuahua.

In fact, though there is some competition footage, we spend a lot of time at home. Her father Santiago (also a runner) introduces us to the family, farmers living in isolation from neighbours and amenities. Lorena notes that it takes hours to reach a grocery store, and Santiago mentions that schools are a similar distance away. They spend much of their time by themselves, apparently quite happily. Much of the film’s runtime consists of following the family and their daily activities. The result is quite captivating – it is beautifully lit and edited, giving an almost dreamlike quality to these scenes.

Part of the film’s appeal is its focus on an underseen part of the world. Lorena and her family are part of the Rarámuri (or Tarahumara) Indigenous group. Traditional music and storytelling are included within the narration. Indeed, long-distance running itself is part of Rarámuri tradition, a way of crossing through remote areas and tough terrain. The movie is in Spanish and Tarahumara (with bilingual credits!). In addition, there is fantastic scenery of the mountainous Chihuahua region. Away from the large cities and tourist attractions, this is an area of Mexico that is rarely portrayed in movies – and it is spectacular.

The movie wisely doesn’t offer much commentary on its events. Most of the script is in Lorena’s own words, or those close to her. It does not attempt to make strong pronouncements – it simply shows us Lorena, her family, and their relationship to the sport. Part of this feeling comes from the people themselves. Lorena and Santiago are both rather matter-of-fact about her achievements. Even at low points, she is straightforward about what went wrong. The family runs in daily life and runs in competitions. These incredible athletic achievements aren’t extraordinary. They are simply part of the Ramirez family’s world. The film presents these moments directly, allowing Lorena to speak about her own story. Combined with the sparing use of score in favour of diegetic sound, the result is a very quiet – and thoughtful - film.

Lorena, Light-Footed Woman is an excellent example of a documentary that presents its subject clearly and without fanfare, allowing the people and events to shine on their own. We are introduced to Lorena, her sport, her family and her region, without the need to elaborate. It is a refreshing and truly beautiful half-hour of cinema.

Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.

The World of Movies: Lorena, Light-Footed Woman

Written by Rachael Crawley