#FANTASIA: “THE UNDERTAKER’S HOME”

By Amanda Gilmore

Undertaker Bernardo (Luís Machín) wife Estella (Celeste Gerez) and stepdaughter Irina (Camila Vaccarini) live disconcertedly amongst spirits in their home, but when a demon takes up residence, they have to fight to stay alive.

Writer-Director Mauro Iván Ojeda takes us early into the family’s distressing life. He gives us mystery and trepidation through steady camerawork and the use of shadows. Yet, he doesn’t root his ghost story in the tropes we have become accustomed to. Instead, he creates a fragmented familial portrait of members past and present. If spirits are always around us, shouldn’t we be sceptical of those who hurt us before? He ends the Film with a unique bittersweet moment, that may not work for all but stays true to the family’s story. The entire cast is pitch-perfect most notably Vaccarini who commands the screen.

The Undertaker’s Home screens live online at Fantasia Fest on Fri. Aug. 21 at 7:30 PM and Wed. Aug. 26 11:30 PM.