Introduction to Pilgrimage
Three years after her film Alcarràs, Carla Simón returns with Pilgrimage, a semi-autobiographical piece that explores her own past. This film is a companion to her debut, Summer 1993, which told the story of a six-year-old girl’s transition to living with her uncle’s family in Catalonia after losing her parents to AIDS. Pilgrimage follows a prospective filmmaker who meets her late father’s family for the first time.
The Story Unfolds
The protagonist, Marina, embarks on a journey to meet her paternal grandparents, whom she has never met, in order to obtain their notarial signatures for a film scholarship. Armed with her camcorder, she travels from Barcelona to the Atlantic coast, where her relatives live in and around the port city of Vigo in Galicia. This region holds a special significance, as it was the playground of her biological parents before she was born. The title of the film, "pilgrimage," reflects Marina’s underlying purpose: to uncover the secrets and stories of her parents’ past.
Meeting the Relatives
Upon arrival, Marina meets her uncle Lois, who is among the more welcoming relatives. However, his memories of her parents do not always align with what she was told as a child. She also meets her calm and gentle cousins, with whom she shares beautiful moments, such as swimming and delivering goods to the Cíes Islands. Marina’s video footage of the coastal waters is accompanied by voiceovers from her mother’s journal entries and chapter headings that provide a glimpse into her parents’ lives.
Uncovering the Past
As Marina interacts with her relatives, she begins to uncover the truth about her parents. She learns about their use of heroin and their struggles with AIDS, which led to their deaths. The stigma surrounding drug use and AIDS makes her grandparents prickly and uncooperative when she asks about her father. They offer her money to stop asking questions, but Marina is determined to learn more about her parents.
Fantasy and Reality
In a departure from Simón’s naturalistic approach, the film falls into a fantasy sequence where Marina and her cousin Nuno drift into a drug-fueled all-night club. This sequence is a poignant and sensual portrayal of Marina’s parents, and it offers her a way to access their memories. The final developments of the film, particularly the circumstances surrounding Marina’s decision about her father’s death certificate, are somewhat hurried but ultimately effective in conveying the outcome of her journey.
Conclusion
Pilgrimage is an elegant and visually poetic film that explores the intimate investigation of family history and secrets. While it may be less clear than Simón’s earlier work, it is a powerful and emotional journey that strengthens Marina’s connection to her parents. The film’s themes of identity, family, and memory are timeless and universal, making it a relatable and impactful watch.
