Valeria Sarmiento’s ‘Behind the Rain’ Confronts Cycles of Silence at Karlovy Vary

Director Valeria Sarmiento’s latest film, Behind the Rain, premiered in the main competition at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, offering a somber exploration of childhood sexual abuse within a small Chilean community. The narrative follows Sofía, a psychology graduate who returns to her hometown of Valdivia, where the discovery of a young girl’s body forces her to confront repressed memories. The film, which utilizes stark black-and-white cinematography to mirror its heavy subject matter, marks a collaboration between Sarmiento and the late screenwriter Omar Saavedra Santis.

Origins and Narrative Development

The project originated from an idea by Sarmiento, who sought to address the systemic silence surrounding child abuse in society. According to the director, the development process was lengthy, as initial attempts to collaborate with European partners stalled. The production gained momentum when producer and actress Chamila Rodríguez suggested shifting the focus back to Chile. This pivot led to the involvement of Omar Saavedra Santis, who refined the script. Sarmiento, born in 1948, noted that the film’s visual style—primarily black and white with color introduced only in the final sequence—was a deliberate choice inspired by her own early experiences with cinema and her mother’s metaphorical advice to “look behind the rain” to perceive life’s full spectrum.

Production and Casting Choices

The film was shot in Valdivia, a location chosen for both its atmospheric qualities and technical accessibility. Sarmiento emphasized that the production environment remained “harmonious” throughout the process. Casting the lead role proved challenging due to the logistical requirements of filming in the region, which often conflicts with the schedules of theater-based performers. Sarmiento selected Paula Prado for the role of Sofía, citing her ability to effectively translate the film’s complex themes to the screen. The supporting cast includes Cristián Arriagada, Aline Kuppenheim, Shlomit Baytelman, Daniel Muñoz, Julio Milostich, Aimar Alarcón Rodríguez, and Clara Vargas Arellano.

Thematic Resonance and Societal Impact

For Chamila Rodríguez, the project held significant personal weight. Having experienced childhood abuse herself—an experience she kept hidden until the age of 40—Rodríguez viewed the film as a vehicle for artistic exorcism. She described the process as a way to transform traumatic history into a medium for public discourse. Both the director and the producer expressed a collective goal: to encourage societal dialogue about abuse, which they argue remains pervasive precisely because victims often lack the vocabulary or opportunity to disclose their experiences. By placing the narrative in the context of a small, interconnected community, Behind the Rain seeks to challenge the “veil” of silence that often protects perpetrators and isolates survivors.

Key Details of the Production

• Director: Valeria Sarmiento
• Screenplay: Valeria Sarmiento and Omar Saavedra Santis
• Director of Photography: Acácio de Almeida
• Editor: Galut Alarcón
• Producer: Chamila Rodríguez
• Festival Premiere: 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Crystal Globe Competition)

The film’s focus on the intersection of personal memory and community responsibility reflects a broader trend in contemporary Chilean cinema, which increasingly interrogates historical and social traumas. By grounding the narrative in the specific geography of Valdivia, Sarmiento and her team attempt to move the conversation regarding child abuse from the abstract to the immediate.