Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by orejones (D) on October 10, 2002 at 02:32:15

In Reply to: Atame!... posted by Mrs. Piggy on October 09, 2002 at 14:52:01:

Sure he´s a talented man, and he can do some nice things (films), and he knows how to work with actresses; but I´ve always felt that he rarely goes deep into anything: quite good at shocking some people, what French mean by "epater", but his films don´t stay long in your mind, making you think once and again on the meaning of life, challenging your feelings or thoughts, or moving you in a significant way. He seems to have an eye for what can make people talk about him, and he´s proven to be bold in his first films: that´s something I can´t deny; but I can´t see his influence last long.

While there are some really good Spanish directors who, not making so much noise, are able to go straight to the very heart of things and, even working on what may look like pretty insignificant matters, can tie you up to the stories they wonderfully tell, and then make you question so many things...

If you are interested in good cinema, I´d rather advice you to keep an eye on Fernando León de Aranoa: he has only three films made, by now: "Familia (Family)", "Barrio (The Neighbourhood)", and "Los Lunes, al sol" (not an idea about how it can translate, as that simple title, whose literal translation would be something like: "on Mondays, go enjoy sunshining", puts you into the very heart of the existencial situation of laid-off workers who can´t find a job, thus being forced to rest, a situation that otherwise would be most enjoyable, while being like a long sentence to inactivity, thus destructuring their whole lives). If you ever have a chance to see any of them, don´t miss it: you´ll be enjoying cinema in its purest form.

Another very interesting Spanish filmmaker is Moncho Armendáriz, the man who made "Secretos del corazón" (Secrets from the Heart), another film which, working on small everyday things and situations, can move you beyond tears, and leave you with that strange sensation of belonging that makes life´s burdens easier to wear.

There are more, of course. But these two men are worth any pains you take to enjoy their films.

Regards

BF