The Milk of Sorrow (La teta asustada)

Release Year: 2009

Director: Claudia Llosa

Review: 'The Milk of Sorrow' is a brutally harsh examination the aftermath of Peru's violent period of the 80's and early 90's, especially dealing with women who were frequently raped at the hands of soldiers during the Maoist uprising.  The children born as a result of these rapes, were believed to receive the trauma and grief of their mothers through their breast milk.  Fausta(Magaly Solier), the lead in this film, is one of these children.  Solier gives a great performance in a sensitive role.  For the most part the film is an unrelenting barrage of bleakness, but given the theme, its hard to expect anything else.  It's hard to enjoy a film that is so sad, and so disturbing, especially when there is little reprieve, but it is none the less successful telling a story that is that unfortunate and it deserves praise for that.
Rating: 3/5