Based on real-life events, Song Without a Name is a drama set in Peru during the late 1980s when violent uprisings, rampant inflation, and harsh conditions made life grim and frightening for citizens. In the storylines director, Melina Leon covers several types of violence: exploitation of women, gay-bashing, and insurrection. Filmed in black and white and in the “box” format featured in old television sets, the film contains both scenes with sharp contrasts and even otherworldly features.
The story begins with Georgina (Pamela Mendoza), the expectant mother from an indigenous village, the baby’s father Leo (Lucio Rojas), and family members preparing for a musical celebration. Leo is given his new costume to wear; everyone drinks tea, and blessings are bestowed upon the clothes. Georgina lives in a small hut on the side of the mountain where the ground appears to be sand; for work, she sells potatoes in the village. One day she hears an announcement on the radio that a clinic in Lima offers free assistance with pregnancy and delivery. Georgina takes the bus to the clinic and is assured everything is fine and to come back for the delivery. When Georgina goes into labor, she returns to the clinic; after the baby girl is born, the nurse disappears with the baby and despite Georgina’s agonizing protests, she is forced out of the clinic. Georgina and Leo have little luck filing a police report, so Georgina goes to the local newspaper where Pedro (Tommy Parraga), a young investigative reporter, agrees to help her. Giving up his current assignment looking into an armed attack on the Army, Pedro begins his search to find the people responsible for stealing Georgina’s baby girl. At the radio station, he learns the name of the woman who placed the ad; he goes to the building housing the foundation’s clinic only to learn the occupants of the clinic left. Georgina discovers two other young women who also had their babies taken by the foundation. Pedro suspects illegal overseas adoptions and obtains a list of recent adoptions in Peru. When Pedro confronts a judge who signed a number of adoption papers, the judge denies any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Leo gets involved in revolutionary activities; after an explosion occurs in the village, Georgina flees to safety and stays with a friend. Pedro also has a brief friendship with a gay actor but ends it after getting a threatening note. In the end, the perpetrators of the illegal adoption ring are found and prosecuted, but the children are not sought after. As Pedro and Georgina gaze out at the sea, Pedro promises Georgina they will find her baby. It is a somber ending. In the bonus features, director Melina Leon states she asks questions and does not give answers. Song Without a Name is a heartfelt film. Aud: H, C, P. Strong optional purchase.