HOT DOCS 26 REVIEW - JARIPEO

 

Through passages of dreamy vibrations and hypnotizing spaces, Jaripeo is something of a hidden treasure. After becoming a large hit at Sundance, it premiered to an equally warm reception at Hot Docs this past weekend. The auditoriums were full, and audience members were glued to the screen. There’s something quite exquisite about the programming this year, as a great amount of the films I’ve seen so far are what I would describe to people as incredibly earnest, thoughtful, and necessary. Jaripeo knows that its topic isn’t widely known by the public, and the filmmakers (Rebecca Zweig, Efrain Mojica) use this to their advantage throughout the narrative. 

From an exhibition perspective, there’s not a bad seat in the house. If you’re in the front row, you’re diving face-first into a luscious and empathetic atmosphere that patiently dissects the intricacies of a vibrant subculture, and if you’re sitting in the back, you get to kick back and indulge in the seduction of the sound design. From a formal perspective, this piece appears entirely handcrafted to be appreciated. From an emotional perspective, its indulgences get even richer, as Zweig begins interacting with Mojica throughout the narrative’s evolution (a scene involving the two of them sharing a drink near the end of the film is especially endearing). It’s a lovely and unexpected portrait, one that reminds you how beautiful human beings can be. 

The visual aesthetics are powerful and further stimulate the environments we learn about over the course of the film's runtime. The emotional journey that Zweig and Mojica take the audience on is something akin to a spiritual experience. The camera flows throughout sunny areas and cool, briskly-coloured night shots; It's unique and bursting with likeability.