Nothing undoes us more than heartbreak. Nothing. And in the days and weeks that follow, we look desperately for signs that everything’s going to be alright. People, places, things – anything to fill the void and tend the soul so that we can get back to life among the living. But what if there isn’t any relief in sight, what then? Prolific Canadian filmmaker Ingrid Veninger explores the implications of lost love in this deeply felt film about Elias, a man who sets out on an emotionally charged road trip soon after the untimely death of his lover, Sebastien. The trip, traversing Chile from north to south, involves long stretches of highway with only Elias’ memories to keep him company. These flashbacks offer a glimpse into his life with Sebastien and reveal the depth of his grief and pain. But while the journey seems lonely and full of sorrow, the diverse and exquisite landscape of Chile is a constant match for Elias’ state of mind with its varied scenery serving as perfect backdrop. And along the way, Elias encounters fellow travelers with whom he shares brief moments reminding him of the gifts and mysteries of existence.
He Hated Pigeons is an unhurried, meditative examination of loss, and a film that you won’t soon forget. In Spanish with English subtitles and also in English.