Sixteen-year-old Lola has the opportunity to embark on a student exchange program to Germany. However, as her older sister, who is afflicted with a mental illness, repeatedly turns the household upside down, that chance slips further away. Amidst the disruptions caused by her sister’s condition and the continued efforts of her weary parents, Lola’s path towards escaping to Neverland becomes increasingly obstructed. Alemania paints a poignant portrait of a family enduring psychological and material suffering due to the disabilities of their child and sibling. Simultaneously, it depicts the growth of a determined girl who refuses to give up on her dreams. Director María Zanetti, displaying an impressive maturity uncommon for a debut director, adeptly guides the young actors’ outstanding performances. She sheds light on the experience of a non-disabled child in a family with a disabled member, a perspective often overlooked. Zanetti skillfully examines Lola’s anxiety and disillusionment while gently addressing the pain that has prematurely matured within the child. The soundtrack, curated by the renowned Latin American rock musician Charlie García, is equally impactful. (Karen PARK)