#SirFilm

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                                             WOKE! Film Reviews

                                BCN FILM FESTIVAL 2019 (DAY ONE)

                                                          by

                                           Lucas Avram Cavazos

The BCN/St. Jordi Film Festival inaugurated its third annual showcase in the beloved Gracia district of BCN on the eve of Saint George’s Day…HappyBelated!… with a swirl of roses and lines of books, cinema lovers and industry milling  about despite the rather finicky weather this year. Inaugurating the eight day affair was local director Dani de la Orden’s latest piece Litus, which was simple yet surprisingly effective… See review below. The BCN Film Fest revolves around literary and historically-based films and adaptations, and also works in tandem with EducaCine and acontracorriente films to bring cinephiles, students and history buffs together from all over the world. Below is a quick selection of films from the first day. Without further ado…let’s twawk, shall we?

Litus ###-1/2   Barcelona director Dani de la Orden made his name a few years back with his sentimental rom-com city pieces Barcelona, nit d’estiu and its sequel Barcelona, nit d’hivern with the backing of beloved TV host Andreu Buenafuente. This film however takes a step into a mature fase of what de la Orden is certainly processing, not necessarily in reference to the theme, but this is definitely a more personal take on a group of friend’s worst nightmare. When dear mate and singer Litus commits suicide, months later, his brother Toni (Quim Gutierrez) takes it upon himself to call the core group of friends together for a specific reason. He holds a series of goodbye letters from his brother for each of them and upon their opening, the truth slowly seeps out like honey. The performances by all involved are spot on, and it is hard not to love the soulful longing and sincerity in Belen Cuesta’s eyes or Tu Cara Me Suena winner Miquel Fernandez’s expressions. This may well be the best film of de la Orden’s career so far, but much of that has to do with the real-life concerns that hit all too many of us after whatever certain age. Based on Marta Bachaca’s theatre play of the same name, some things have been tweaked from her original but the exploration of themes like unexplained loss, mortality, love’s labour lost, Peter Pan syndrome and even, oh so charmingly, the wonderful film Peter’s Friends make for a film that stays with you well after you leave the movie theatre…wonderful Spanish cinema.

Rojo ###-1/2    A look-back on a time gone by, this film could easily be based on true events if it’s not already. Imagine rural Argentina, mid-70s during the Triple A drama and coup d’ etat…there is a tense yet agreeable nature to things all around you and the way director Benjamin Naishtat paints the film is curt yet on point, sad yet beguiling. Dr. Claudio Moran (Dario Grandinetti) lives a content and stable life and is a pillar in the community AND a successful attorney. This can go a long way in that day and age…unless surprise murder springs its meddling head. And this is where Rojo really begins. Here at abitterlife, I never give away spoilers (unless truly necessary, read: casi nunca!), so while there is an astounding if languid presence that mopes about this taut drama piece, there is also a wonderful telling of the 70s via the spectacle of the Latin American middle class. The style, music, autos, food and Euro-American melding, that only places like Argentina can often serve up heartily, hearken back to a time that was just starting to touch the essence of a new age dawning. The latest pieces of Argentinian cinema reflecting on its history (think El Angel from last year…exquisite!) have been rather remarkable in their ability to be good thought-provokers. No award winners here, most likely, but gripping in its own subtle way.

Sir ###-1/2     My twin brother Matthew is in love with India…and so is my dear friend Kiki, whose mum lived there for years. As I’ve never been, I can only say that the Hindi take on spirituality, spicy food, cinema, colours and great dance music make me love them…full stop. In dealing with the tensions that can most certainly exist amongst the caste systems of the Indian population of nearly 1.4 billion, it must be ever so important to shine a light on that still very wretched and enforced mentality. The beauty of this film lies in the simple gentility with which director Rohena Gera portrays the intricate, almost innocent, sensuality that plays itself out between Ratka and Ashwin,  respectively Tillotama Shome and Vivek Gomber. She is his housekeeper and also a student of clothe making, so she keeps busy as does Ashwin, playing building foreman for his father’s construction company after the calling-off of his wedding after a massive row with his now ex. Ratka is then called on to be something of a constant house companion to the depressed, handsome loner. I love the way tiny details make extraordinary realities so apparent. When Ratka is out and about, she wears bangle jewellery; however, when she heads back home via bus, she takes them off and puts them away. Will they or won’t they becomes the big question and documentary filmmaker Gera takes her time to be cordial in her revelations of love and lust. A nice Mumbai film and a sweet showcase for this first feature film director and her actors.