Some films are difficult to watch because of their violence, others because of moral judgement. In the circumstance of Leap Year (Ano Bisiesto), these things are most prevalent and combine to present a story spoken through action and not words, a love story in the most socially corrupt and sickening of ways. The 2010 Cannes Film Festival Camera d’Or winner is a film that will shock, intrigue and most of all unsettle you as it explores love, loss and lifeless living.

Laura (Monica del Carmen) is a journalist living in Mexico City, away from her family in Oaxaca. But working from home dispels the notion of a fulfilling career, leaving her unsociable and lonely. She gets her one-night-stands when she needs them though – and you soon learn that she’ll have it any which way. But when Laura eventually meets Arturo (Gustavo Sanchez Parra) her desires become much darker to match his sexual fantasies, taking her on a more sinister turn. It’s the most monstrous of twists to your average filmic love story, questioning what love really is as Laura subjects herself to Arturo’s sadomasochistic needs. No, actively participates – she believes she’s found love that she can willingly reciprocate. It’s hard not to be saddened as you see the continuous torture inflicted on Laura – being burned with cigarettes, urinated on and almost choked to death are just a few. Leap Year is relentless in the graphic portrayal of these scenes much in the same way as the wave of torture porn to recently hit screens. But this film is different; as much as it confronts with its honest portrayal of the life of a lonely young woman, it’s a surprisingly fascinating character study. Outside of her torrid sex life, not a lot happens. She eats out of cans, sits around, masturbates and has the dearest love for her brother. Primarily, you never know if she’s ever satisfied and it forces you to continuously think. It’s these small glimpses that really show her unhappiness and fragmented mind.

Ballarat-born writer/director Michael Rowe has brought the bacon home for Australia for the second year running after last year’s Samson and Delilah, although by all means this is a Mexican film. For many it was a controversial choice with some audiences unable to deal with the explicit themes, but the debut from this little-known creator has crafted a unique film that pushes the boundaries with its brutality. It would be unfair to criticise that it crosses the line; while Leap Year is a harrowing account of an already disturbed woman, it’s anti-eroticised and doesn’t shy away from an insight into what is a very taboo subject. This film was made with the intention of screening to arthouse audiences and suits it accordingly – Rowe has done well with a budget under $1 million to present a film that doesn’t need words to express pain or despair. The camerawork, confined to the space of an apartment, is deceivingly inviting with shadowy static shots, while casting del Carmen in the demanding role of Laura results in an unassuming tour-de-force. Leap Year is one of the gutsiest films to screen in Australia for quite some time.

Verdict
Leap Year is well handled but confronting to the core, taking you to a very dark place.

Leap Year screens as part of the Hola Mexico Film Festival 2010 across Australia.

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