introduction
The movie's original title is Mientras el Lobo No Está. It is a 2017 Mexican film directed by Joseph Hemsani and written by Abe Rosenberg in collaboration with Joseph Hemsani.
The movie features a cast of exceptionally talented boys and girls, along with a stern and cruel headmaster, brilliantly portrayed by Mauricio García Lozano, and several other outstanding actors, despite their smaller roles.
The story takes place in 1958 at a boarding school for unruly and rebellious children, deep in the jungle. These children are sent there to correct their bad and violent behavior. The school is run by a harsh headmaster named Julio, who employs violent, cruel, and rigid methods. But that's not all; frightening things are happening, gradually revealed through the eyes of the children, who are trying to escape, led by a newcomer named Alex.
Alex is a special case, possessing many admirable qualities, even though his admission to the school was due to a reason that is difficult to imagine or accept, a fact we will soon discover.
A Personal Artistic Perspective
Why do you consider this movie among the best ever made?
There are several reasons for this, the most important being that the movie captivated me from the very first second to the very last. In addition, it left a profound and complex impression on me after it ended. The performances of both the young and adult actors were breathtaking and extraordinary, and the direction and cinematography masterfully showcased this brilliance.
There were also no significant plot flaws or unnecessary scenes. In my opinion, this stunning work of art was perfectly crafted.
Furthermore, the set design and costumes perfectly conveyed the setting's gloom and harshness, making the school resemble a tightly controlled military prison from which you would never leave except as a lifeless corpse.
I mustn't forget the film's magnificent score, which evokes a multitude of conflicting emotions, and the famous, terrifying whistle, which added an overwhelming sense of horror to the film.
Strangely, the film has a rating below 7 on IMDb, which was disappointing. However, I realized that many people around the world hadn't seen it by the time I was writing this article.
Link to the movie on IMDb
In depth
The existence of such a school is undoubtedly a good thing, but the way the boys and girls were treated was the central issue.
Cruelty and deviation from nature are certainly repulsive and abhorrent, so it was no surprise that the children's violent reactions intensified and that thoughts of liberation and escape even sprang to mind, sometimes leading to action.
Children, no matter how grave their mistakes, are still just children who can be contained and comforted, and the demon growing within them can be extinguished. But when they are treated without moral or emotional conscience, they become perpetually rebellious.
The truth, as it gradually unfolds, reveals that the presence of such a cruel and rigid school principal was merely a weapon in his hand, concealing the depravity of his own perverse soul.
If such people exist anywhere in the world, how can they be entrusted with such young lives, even if those lives are troubled?
The Idea of Liberation and Escape
Undoubtedly, the idea of liberation stems from the feeling of being shackled or imprisoned. Therefore, it was natural that this idea wouldn't exist among children. However, what contributed to its formation and growth was that the school itself carried the characteristics of a prison, not only through its walls and fences but also through the behavior of those in charge.
What further solidified this idea was that even emotions were imprisoned; children weren't allowed to express them. This truly amplified despair and killed the spirit and heart.
Friendship, adolescent feelings, and innocent love were the driving forces behind the desire for liberation and escape, the means to find a way out of the tyrannical Julio's clutches. Therefore, he suppressed these feelings because he saw them as dangerous to him and to the entity that fueled his perversion and rotten obsession.
Even the school staff seemed like empty barrels, devoid of anything natural, as if the place and its director had imposed their gloom on their souls.
The devil in human
Mauricio García Lozano brilliantly portrayed the cruel and depraved manager Julio, his performance so convincing that he seemed a demon in human form, concealing a diabolical instinct beneath his stoicism. He disregarded the purity and innocence of children who had simply gone too far in their mistakes, believing they deserved harsher treatment, like criminals or fully mature and conscious individuals. Therefore, we never saw his heart stir or oppose the actual crimes he committed against them.
The poor little Isabel and the loving young Alex conveyed the first stirrings of adolescence, emotions that no one who has experienced them can forget. They also conveyed the strength of their bond, along with a vulnerability and a fear of discovery and the dire consequences Julio would inflict upon them.
Julio can never be described as insane, because he has a heart that beats and sometimes stops. Rather, he is a real devil, driven by an unbridled desire to achieve his sick goal, at the expense of any human principles or divine teachings.
The Power of the Film
The movie's power lies not only in the stunning performances by the children and the school principal but also in the intensity and shocking impact of the events. From the revelation of Julio's shocking truth and his insane, demonic desires to the resulting horrific crimes and his violent pursuit of children simply seeking a decent life, far from the oppressive confines of the school.
Amid all the hardships, the film creates an atmosphere of love and friendship, conveying a voice of hope that rises above the school's tyranny and showcasing the beautiful, innocent emotions between the teenagers.
There are terrifying moments in several scenes, such as when Alex and his friend are in the principal's office, and Alex cautiously approaches his chair to surprise the principal, only to be surprised himself.
The catastrophic warning of imminent and severe punishment for every violation of Julio's orders, such as the scene of the hair clip falling from Isabel's hand as she secretly meets Alex, Julio finding out about it, and the terrible tension about what he will do to her.
The unsettling and disturbing whistle, its source unknown, shatters the peace of mind, as if it were a harbinger of doom.
The cinematography, direction, and lighting were in stunning harmony, resulting in an exceptionally beautiful film.
The distinctive music perfectly complemented every event in the film, amplifying our emotions and anxieties.
The thrilling chase of Alex, the fantastical end of the pure evil source, Julio, Alex's success in his goal, and his failure to escape, but rather his return for the sake of his other friends.
The movie's message
Without a doubt, While the Wolf's Away is one of the most powerful and profound films, as it offers a real lesson about the problems of harsh and rigid treatment of teenagers in general and troubled teenagers in particular. It demonstrates that excessive punishment and suppression of freedom can severely exacerbate the situation and instill undesirable ideas deep within them.
Furthermore, those responsible for working with this type of teenager and child must undergo a thorough psychological evaluation to determine their suitability for this responsibility, free from personal biases or instincts that might influence their actions toward this group.
Freedom is the most precious thing individuals possess in their lives, regardless of age, gender, identity, or affiliation.
Crimes committed against this group worldwide must be dealt with decisively and with extreme severity to prevent their recurrence.
Feelings are not tied to age or determined by place; they flow across all temporal and spatial barriers, bringing hope to faces, no matter how painful or bleak reality may be.
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