ROCK, PAPER AND SCISSORS (original title Piedra, papel y tijera)
Written and directed by Macarena Garcia Lenzi and Martín Blousson
Adapted from a stage play by Macarena Garcia Lenzi
Following the death of her father, the prodigal daughter returns to Argentina from Spain to sort out the family estate with her somewhat cosseted and eccentric half-brother and half-sister. It’s been a long while since they last spoke or seen each other. Unsurprisingly, the half siblings don’t take too kindly to someone they barely recognise, turning their happy existence upside down. After all, it was them who cared for dad when he needed it most. This less demanding time to live a little is their reward for being there for him. Why should she get a share in the house? Why should they have to leave the family home? But then again, why shouldn’t she get what’s owed to her?
Confined to just the house, this melodramatic set up triggers a shift in tone from odd chamber piece to a more genre friendly – MISERY (1990) meets DOGTOOTH (2009). Originally, a stage play written by the film’s co-director Macarena Garcia Lenzi and adapted for screen with the help of her co-director Martin Blouson (editor of past Frightfest fare such as ROTTEN LINK, 2015 and WHITE COFFIN, 2016), ROCK, PAPER AND SCISSORS explores three singularly individual characters rather than a straight up morality tale, Lenzi’s story enjoys deviating into more absurd territory. A Wizard Of Oz obsession and sub-plot provide the main vehicle for this aspect.
As relationships are remade and smashed apart by untoward motivations, Blousson/Lenzi’s film exposes the trio’s emotional weaknesses, and mental fragility, as trust in one another crumbles and the search for the truth ensures what little there is that bonds them, falls apart in a wonderfully dramatic, violent and morbid fashion.
Martín Blousson & Macarena García Lenzi talk ROCK, PAPER AND SCISSORS on the BritFlicks Podcast.
