[SXSW 2024] MALTA -- Quaint but Effectively Authentic Slice-of-Life Drama

Review by Sean Boelman

Slice-of-life films require one thing to work: authenticity. There is no shortage of that in Natalia Santa’s Malta, a Colombian drama premiering at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival. A promising sophomore feature, the movie may not explore particularly novel themes, but it’s carried by a strong lead performance and a hefty dose of relatability.

Malta tells the story of a young woman who, having grown tired of the stagnation of her life in Colombia, dreams of starting anew abroad. Santa has created a film that captures what it means to grow older in a comfortable but not entirely satisfying world — something that many dreamers will find relatable.

Malta will prove to be an incredibly poignant watch for anyone who has gone through — or is going through — a period in their life where they feel stuck. Although many movies have captured the mundanity of an unfulfilling life, Santa effectively captures the emotion of it: the depression and anxiety one feels when they don’t feel like they have accomplished enough.

The protagonist is not always likable, often making decisions that feel self-centered. Although the character’s arc hits many familiar beats, Santa tells the story with a lot of earnestness. The struggle to decide between what one must do for oneself and what others want you to do is a conversation many have tried and failed to introspect within themselves. 

Visually, Malta does a good job of capturing these emotions. Much of the first act is shot with a very plain lens with muted color, but as the protagonist grows and her perspective on life begins to shift, the film takes on a much more vibrant visual style. It’s not always a pretty movie, but it’s very deliberate in its stylistic approach.

Santa’s pacing is very slow yet effective. Given that the film is about capturing the protagonist’s disillusionment with her current life, it makes sense that there’s not a ton of excitement to be found in the runtime. However, the movie’s ability to avoid melodrama keeps it refreshingly quaint and engaging enough for its runtime of just over an hour and a half.

The film works exceptionally well as a showcase for the talents of actress Estefania Piñeres. Although Piñeres hasn’t had roles in anything that broke out with American audiences, she has all the talent to become a star. She has a ton of natural charisma but in a way that feels quietly alluring, not conspicuous and flashy.

Malta is a quaint movie that will hardly blow anyone away — not that it’s even intended to. However, Natalia Santa has perfectly captured the balance of hopefulness and resignation many of us struggle with in life, and it’s likely to strike a chord with audiences as a result.

Malta is screening at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, which runs March 8-16 in Austin, TX.

Rating: 3.5/5