The Milk of Sorrow 2010

An elderly woman serenades the world with a poignant song as she lies on her deathbed, recounting a harrowing tale of her own assault and the tragic loss of her husband. As she finishes her last note, she drifts away peacefully beside her daughter, Fausta (Magaly Solier).

Growing up ensconced in the haunting stories of Peru’s internal conflict, which pitted the guerrilla group Sendero Luminoso against the government, Fausta has developed an overwhelming fear of men and the threat of rape. In a desperate attempt to shield herself, she has resorted to placing a potato inside her vagina, which, despite affecting her health, she adamantly refuses to have removed by medical professionals.

After the passing of her mother, Fausta finds herself in a dire financial situation, unable to afford the costs associated with transporting her mother’s body back to their village for a proper burial. To alleviate this burden, she secures a job in the home of a talented pianist, Aída (Susi Sánchez), who is struggling to finish a composition for an upcoming recital.

Upon discovering Fausta’s innate talent for songwriting, Aída seizes the opportunity to motivate her by offering a valuable string of pearls in exchange for a completed song. Fausta, desperate for the money needed for her mother’s funeral, willingly accepts the challenge.

On the night of the performance, Aída delights the audience with Fausta’s song, garnering thunderous applause. However, as they leave the venue, Fausta inadvertently mentions the song’s success. Fearing that her secret of not being the true composer will be exposed, Aída cruelly ejects Fausta into the dark streets of Lima, leaving her alone.

Following her cousin’s wedding, Fausta experiences another traumatic encounter when her uncle intrudes upon her slumber, pressing her to break free from the shackles of fear that have imprisoned her life, much like her late mother.

In a powerful conclusion to her journey, Fausta resolves to undergo the operation to have the potato safely removed and chooses to bury her mother near the ocean—a significant step towards embracing her life without the shadow of her past fears looming over her. It is through this act that Fausta signals her intention to finally move forward, leaving behind the weight of her anguish.