Elena Knows is an Argentine film directed by Anahí Berneri. It stars Mercedes Morán.
“Elena Knows” is a movie where its lead actress, Mercedes Morán, shines and stands out with her own light. She portrays one of those roles meticulously crafted to captivate and remain in the memory of every actor’s career: a Parkinson’s patient investigating her daughter’s murder.
Anahí Berneri does an excellent job as a director, achieving a balanced film that, contrary to initial expectations, doesn’t overly rely on drama.
A film created, directed, and focused on delivering a remarkable performance
Movie Review
A good film that should be approached with the desire to witness multiple dramas simultaneously: the grief of losing a daughter, the struggles of old age, the tragedy of loneliness and miscommunication, and also the burden of Parkinson’s disease. Perhaps too much drama for an entertainment film.
Yet, here lies the film’s merit: it’s neither a pure drama nor a conventional thriller. It is more like a movie about memories, reconstructing a life and its ghosts, calmly portraying the mother-daughter relationship from its beginnings.
In different hands, this film could have ended up as a tearful melodrama or a total disaster. But it isn’t, and Mercedes Morán’s performance doesn’t lean towards excessive interpretation either. It is just like the film itself, maintaining composure, serenity, and resilience despite the unpleasant circumstances.
It’s not a cold film either; rather, it is a film about emotions and struggles, where nothing is black or white. There are no heroes or villains, and that’s where it definitively differs from the thriller genre that it is not. It instead delves into the realm of intimacy, a film focused on confronting memories, one’s existence, and death.
Our Opinion
If you approach it ready for introspection, seeking a profound moment of calm and serenity, willing to confront ghosts and suffering face to face, with composure, peace, and courage, then “Elena Knows” is worth watching.
Release Date
November 24, 2023
Watch “Elena Knows”
Elena Knows
Original title: Elena sabe
Year: 2023
Running time: 104 min.
Country: Argentina
Screenwriters: Anahí Berneri, Gabriela Larralde. Novel: Claudia Piñeiro
Realizadora
Anahí Berneri (born in 1975, Argentina) is a highly acclaimed Argentine writer-director. Known for her realistic and intimate approach, her films delve into important gender issues. She has written and directed several notable works including A Year Without Love (2005, 20th Festival), Encarnación (2007), It’s Your Fault (2010), Aire libre (2014), and Alanis (2017). Berneri also serves as a teacher at ENERC and the National University of the Arts, sharing her expertise with aspiring filmmakers.
The Cast
Marcos Montes
Marcos Ferrante
Mónica Gonzaga
Agustina Muñoz
Susana Pampín
If you approach it ready for introspection, seeking a profound moment of calm and serenity, willing to confront ghosts and suffering face to face, with composure, peace, and courage, then “Elena Knows” is worth watching.