Review: I'm No Longer Here
Sometimes in an effort to keep a film minimalistic, certain storytelling elements have to take a backseat to keep the director’s vision intact. The Netflix original I’m No Longer Here (original title Ya No Estoy Aqui), written and directed by Fernando Frias, is about a gang of young children who spend their days dancing to cumbia music. The leader of their gang, Ulises (Juan Daniel Garcia Treviño), is involved in a mix-up with a local cartel and must move to a neighborhood in Queens, New York to hide away and protect his loved ones. Frias does many things well in this film, regarding the direction, but a few of his choices leave the viewer wanting more from some of the storytelling aspects of his film.
In regard to the minimalistic choices that were made, Frias keeps many elements of the film very controlled, and in some cases, not involved at all. For instance, there is no score in this film. All of the music used is either live musical performances in the streets, or actual songs played from Ulises’ headphones. This was a great choice for most of the movie, but for some of the more emotional or shocking scenes, you barely realize they’re happening because it’s completely silent. Another similar choice that Frias made was to limit the number of cuts in scenes. There are some long takes which are used wonderfully, when showing the gang at their parties or on the street, dancing together and enjoying their music. The lack of cuts can be appreciated because it does, yet again, keep the minimalism of the film alive. However, when some scenes are meant to be fast paced and unexpected, not having many cuts removes a sense of urgenc. Juxtaposing the happiness in the long takes with fear in short cuts definitely would’ve increased the intensity of those scenes.
Something fascinating Frias does with his cinematographer Damián García is the way they set up the framing of the scenes. There are barely any closeup shots of the characters or anything in particular. Most of the frames almost always include the scenery behind the actual actors. Whether that’s of the mountains and city lights at night in Monterrey, Mexico, or if it’s making sure to include the entire street that Ulises and his gang walk through. The beauty of the backdrops definitely makes the film a pleasure to look at. Almost every scene is beautiful one way or another. There is also a technique that Frias uses that I’ll just call the “wait and see” shot. Frias will cut from the action and show, for example, Ulises arriving to a subway. This is where the silence of the film helps because the frame stays the same, facing forward and looking at the entire subway and the man who stands next to Ulises playing a ukulele, then suddenly a group of men come and grab Ulises. The camera never moves, but because nothing happens initially, Frias uses this as a way to create some anticipation. It’s very similar to the way horror directors use silence and still shots to create anticipation.
The actors of this film are mostly new actors and they do a very good job for the few scenes they need to. Outside of Treviño’s performance as Ulises and Xueming Angelina Chen as Lin, none of the other characters have large speaking roles. Chen and Treviño do well with each other, although their characters don’t understand each other due to a language barrier. Treviño is truly the star of this film, not only because he’s the main character, but his performance was great as well. He’s stoic and never over assuming. Even when he has to move away, he remains the same way, knowing this is how he has to carry himself as the leader of his gang.
All in all, I’m No Longer Here is an enjoyable movie. Frias presents a very intimate and unique way of seeing how some immigrants have to leave their homes to protect those they love. The film had a lot of potential, and even though some scenes could’ve been more than what they were, they don’t take away too much from the grand scheme of the film. Frias had a vision and made sure to tell it how he wanted to and told a wonderful story. I’m No Longer Here was a 2020 selection at the Tribeca Film Festival and was also nominated for the Golden Ariel for Best Picture at the Ariel Awards of Mexico.
