Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths

Silverio Gama’s journey in “Bardo” is as much a personal voyage through memories, regrets, and identity as it is a reflection of Alejandro Inarritu’s own life. The film’s final act suggests that Silverio’s story is ultimately a spiritual or existential one, with the scene in the desert symbolizing a liminal space between life and death. As Silverio’s family calls out to him, urging him to return, he stands at a crossroads where he can either move on or remain anchored by his unresolved internal conflicts. The recurring imagery of shadows growing smaller and then disappearing signifies his fading presence in the earthly realm, implying that Silverio may have passed away after suffering a stroke and slipping into a coma. The scenes depicting his reflections, conversations with his parents, and visions of Mexican history all seem to serve as a mental landscape representing his inner struggles—conflicts of belonging, pride, regret, and guilt.

The ambiguity of whether Silverio wakes up or not is central to understanding the film’s profound message. If viewed as a literal end, his disappearance in the desert could imply his death, having finally let go of the burdens that haunted him. On the other hand, if these visuals are seen as the culmination of his subconscious mind during his coma, it suggests that Silverio might wake up and survive, carrying the weight of his memories and internal battles. Either interpretation emphasizes the film’s exploration of mortality, memory, and the human condition. “Bardo” leaves its audience with a sense of melancholy and wonder, inviting viewers to ponder the intangible nature of identity and the afterlife, and the possibility that understanding oneself might be a lifelong, ongoing process. In its poetic, abstract style, the film ultimately suggests that the truths we seek are often elusive, hiding in the spaces between perception and reality.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59