The movie possesses a surprising level of depth that isn’t immediately obvious. Initially, it seems to portray a simple story about an impoverished family living in a rural area. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye. At its core, it's about a family dealing with their own internal conflicts – echoing Tolstoy’s observation that every happy family resembles one another, while each unhappy family is unique in its misery. This troubled family exists within the context of a detached agricultural business. This enterprise doesn’t just contribute to their unhappiness; it gradually destroys them. It's easy to see how this narrative could apply to workers at companies like Amazon or Uber – individuals who put in long hours, often without basic necessities, for wealthy employers who remain largely unseen. That connection feels very real within the film. The gorgeous cinematography of expansive sugar cane fields, which have erased a previous natural beauty, is almost beside the point. So too are the excellent performances and the somber lighting used to depict the family. A noteworthy detail: the English translation of the title isn't quite accurate, in my opinion. "Sombra" also signifies shadow, and this family truly exists within one; the title ought to be “Land and Shadow.” But what is that shadow cast by? That’s what gives the film its social importance.

Source on TMDB