Critique Express : Dégel - Film Review

Set against the backdrop of a post-dictatorship Chile, the film Dégel, directed and written by Manuela Martelli, offers a poignant exploration of friendship and loss. The story unfolds in 1992, a significant year marked by both the 500th anniversary of Columbus's so-called discovery of America and the World Expo in Seville, where Chile aimed to showcase its newfound openness to the world after years of oppression.

Release Information

• Original Title: El deshielo
• Director: Manuela Martelli
• Screenplay: Manuela Martelli
• Cast: Maya O’Rourke, Saskia Rosendahl, Maia Rae Domagala
• Distributor: Les films du Losange
• Runtime: 1h48
• Genre: Drama
• Release Date: August 26, 2026

Rating: 3.5/5

The narrative centers on Inès, a nine-year-old girl whose life is intertwined with the ski resort run by her grandparents. While her parents are away in Seville, Inès befriends Hanna, a talented German skier. However, when Hanna mysteriously disappears, Inès takes it upon herself to help find her, becoming the focal point of the search efforts.

Martelli, who was born nearly a decade after the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet in 1973, draws on the lingering scars of Chile's dictatorial past in her storytelling. Her previous film, Chili 1976, showcased this theme and set the stage for Dégel, which, while not directly set during the dictatorship, reflects the societal changes and challenges that emerged in its aftermath. The film's title, translating to "thaw," metaphorically hints at both the melting of ice and the gradual political thawing in Chile, following years of repression.

The film's setting—a winter sports resort in southern Chile—adds another layer, as this region is known to harbor a community with German roots, including former Nazi criminals. The atmosphere of the hotel, reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, enhances the film's tension and isolation.

Inès’s bilingual abilities allow her to connect with the German ski team, particularly with Hanna, who is five years her senior. Their friendship deepens until Hanna's sudden disappearance, which propels Inès into a pivotal role in the frantic search. Hanna’s mother, Lina, a former East German skating champion, also seeks to assist in the search, despite initial resistance from the authorities.

While Dégel is a well-crafted film, it may not reach the same heights as Chili 1976. Nonetheless, it is notable for Maya O’Rourke's stunning performance as Inès and the breathtaking snowy landscapes of southern Chile, which are beautifully captured by French cinematographer Benjamin Echazarreta, known for his work on other acclaimed Chilean films such as Gloria, A Fantastic Woman, and The Wave.