The Meltdown

It is 1992, and Chile is still reeling from the trauma left in the wake of dictator Augusto Pinochet. Nestled near the snowy Andes stands a hotel where nine-year-old Inés wanders about, observing the guests and staff. The hotel is owned by Inés’ grandparents, with whom she is staying whilst her parents are away on a business trip. The ski resort attached to the hotel attracts large numbers of European tourists, and when a 14-year-old German alpine skier, Hanna, arrives at the hotel, Inés befriends her.

Hanna’s coach, Alexander, pushes her to train, but Hanna tests the boundaries set for her by smoking and getting to know Inés’ cousin, Sebastián. One night, Hanna goes missing, and Inés has information that could help with the search. However, her grandmother forbids Inés from revealing what she has seen, as the hotel’s reputation must be protected. When Hanna’s mother, Lina, joins the search, Inés secretly sets out to help her.

At points, The Meltdown evokes an atmosphere reminiscent of the iconic 1975 mystery Picnic at Hanging Rock, although the scenery is in Chile rather than Australia, and the languid summer’s day gives way to a snow-covered forest. Told from a child’s perspective, this suspenseful thriller about a disappearance skilfully shows how we adults forget that children notice everything.

Eelia Leikas (translated by Moritz Müller)