Father Geek here with our Latin-AICN column and our Sao Paulo editor Coffin Joe Jr... Buuuut first some interesting stuff that came direct to Father Geek's old rolled-top desk that I feel you'll be wanting to hear...
Last weekend was the premiere of "Perfume de Violetas"
(Scent of Violets) in Mexico City, and I happened to
catch the movie at the event. Here's a short review.
In light of the comercial success of the Mexican flick
"And Your Mom Too", its easy to see why Mexican
filmmakers are turning their eye to the examination of
contemporary youth in this country. Fortunately, not
everything is youthploitation; a few talented
individuals try to make movies that actually say
something, sometimes in a most perturbing way.
"Perfume de Violetas" (Scent of Violets) more than
preaching some message , tries to expose the hidden
truth about an atrociously frecuent crime and the
equally awful way that it's often ignored.
At the beginning we meet Yessica (Ximena Ayala), an
agressive and antisocial sixteen year old girl. She's
just switched schools after being expelled from her
previous high school, for slapping the principal. At
her new school she meets Miriam (Nancy Gutiérrez), a
timid and repressed girl who somehow feels drawn
towards Yessica. Even though they're opposite
personalities, they realize that they complement each
other very well. The girls begin a strong and friendly
relationship, and its obvious that it will do wonders
with their respective disfunctions, but as always,
fate intervenes when Yessica is brutally raped by the
driver of a pesera bus (the much reviled, but much
needed small public transportation bus, so called
because it used to cost a peso to ride in them). To
make matters worse, the rapist has an accomplice that
will only worsen the situation, but due to some
archaic customs and morals, Yessica choses to keep
quiet about the crime. So, she begins to mentally
crumble, to the point of severely harming (mentally
and physically) those near and dear to her.
"Scent of Violets" could have been cheap drama, the
sort of tragedy-of-the-week drivel so loved by
television where the horrific facts are diluted for
the peace of mind and entertainment of the audience.
Instead Maryse Sistach, the director and her
scriptwriter, Jose Buil, have chosen to stick to
Mexican reality, where things don't turn out happily
ever after, and where the perpetrators are not always
punished, not because they're too smart, but because
they're protected by the obtuse and twisted Mexican
morality.
However, the script is not as good as one would
wish... the dialogue tries to be realistic, but often
feels contrived and the actors have trouble delivering
the lines in a convincing manner. And speaking of
actors, we have only Salma Hayek level performances...
but the emotions are true and deep, so it's easy to
overlook such things. But the main flaw of the film is
its ending; near it the characters start behaving
erratically and when the cop-out end arrives, the
result is most unsatisfying.
But even with its imperfections, "Scent of Violets" is
a strong and unflinching film that may lack a bit in
the narrative department, but it succeeds as a raw
portrait of the tragic and often ignored reality of
the lower level of Mexican society, where good
intentions are commonly punished by the very flawed
moral fiber of the people. Still, worthy of a look if
you can find it. I'd give it 7 out of 10
For more reviews in spanish feel free to visit
www.cinencanto.com
You'll be pleasently indifferent.
See you.
Pablo.
Now here's some info sent to Father Geek from the set of ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO down in that country's beautiful Central Highlands...
one has to say that most of the actors (those that are
truly famous) have behaved in a nice
and respectful way. For example, although those of security don't allow
that the young girls that want to meet the handsome Johnny Depp approach,
when they fail in this duty, he greets them and even gives them autographs.
They say that Antonio Banderas is fascinated with San Miguel because
people have treated him well and his wife, the famous actress Melanie
Griffith walks in the town as if not anything nor anybody is bothering
her.
The singer Enrique Iglesias has rejoined the cast that stars in the film
Once Upon a Time in Mexico in his mariachi role beside the Spanish Antonio
Banderas who also requested permission to film some scenes in the
Legislative Palace for the Legislative Power of Guanajuato, confirmed Sara
Hoch.
"We have not processed all the permits that we require, we still haven't
spoken with people of the State Congress. We should specify what activity
will be carried out, in what facilities of the building, what the scene
treats and, above all, that there is not damage to the patrimony of the
Nation", she expressed.
The Legislative Palace of Guanajuato will probably be used Wednesday June
26 to Sunday July 1, and areas like the Green Salon, a cubbyhole and the
roof will be surrounded, but neither Salma Hayek nor Enrique Iglesias will
be, he's already reinstated to the filming, while the Veracruzan actress
will do her own thing the following week.
"Enrique has acted very well with people, he is very accessible, even like
Johnny Depp, incorporated from Tuesday and he is very happy, suddenly
nervous to be beside Banderas, but very happy", Hoch pointed out.
The official reported that some of the scenes that were contemplated to be
filmed in Guanajuato were already carried out in San Miguel de Allende to
advance the dates of filming and to finish the work schedule.
translated by www.banderas-mall.com
Nadusha
Father Geek back just to say I love San Miguel I've been there at least 20 times, Harry was with me most of those times. In the 70's and 80's it was like our home away from home. We stayed at the Saulto everytime, just a couple of blocks from the Jardin, saborrrrr mucho! Now on to Coffin Joe Jr. and his regular report...
Once again Coffin Joe Jr. is in the house for another week of Latin-AICN for you monsters, hope you dig it. "Unseen Gems" will be back next week, with a look at "Thick as Thieves". Here´s this week´s news and reviews:
ARGENTINA
-Coffin Joe Jr. Movie Review
"Nueve Reinas" (2000)
Directed by Fabián Bielinsky
Man, this one grabbed me, and everybody else who was watching this sleeper crime flick from Argentina, by the balls and it did not let go until the surprise ending. Basic plot is very simple: old thief meets young thief, old thief teaches young thief a few tricks, Old thief and young thief become partners in crime, old thief proposes a sure deal to young thief, young thief accepts the offer, the deal gets more and more complicated, the shit hits the fan big time by the end, but wait a bit more and not everything is what it seems. Did I confuse you? Don´t worry, once you see it you´ll know what I´m talking about. Great plot twists, snappy dialogue, and an incredibly impressive set of shady characters.
Well, if this film is playing at a theater near you, drop everything else you´re doing and run to see it. It´s that good. I´ll dare say that it is right up there with "Amores Perros", in style and writing. The acting shines as well, with Ricardo DarÃn making quite an impression, with his strong performance as the veteran petty criminal Marcos. Whenever this guy was on screen he commanded the scene. Pure charisma.
Gastón Pauls plays the young gun Juan, and he gives a quiet performance, playing the straight guy, the tortured soul.
The main trio of characters is completed by the tough Valeria, played by the stunning Leticia Brédice, the younger sister of Marcos, who isn´t really friendly towards her brother. Some legal issues between them make their relationship really complicated.
Buena Vista/Disney is the distributor, and the marketing campaign has been pretty agressive here in Brazil, with ads in the main newspapers, as well as a visit from director Bielinsky to promote. Don´t know when this is coming to the U.S., or if there are any plans to give it a theatrical release in the U.S., but it sure deserves a lot of exposure. Maybe a film fest will bring it nearer to you guys, who knows. In the meantime, if anyone from Buena Vista International is reading this, I strongly suggest you get this movie out there. All over the globe.
Truly great entertainment, highly recommended.
Check out the website at: www.nuevereinas.com.ar
MEXICO
-The local film "Y Tu Mamá También'' (''And Your Mother Too''), directed by Alfonso Cuarón ("Great Expectations"), slipped just 17% in the Mexican box office, netting close to $5 million in 17 days, according to its distributor, 20th Century Fox, a record number for a Mexican picture in that period of time. The erotic drama also made a splash in Colombia, becoming the number one movie in that country.
The movie stars Maribel Verdú, Gael GarcÃa Bernal ("Amores Perros"), Diego Luna, Diana Bracho and Emilio EchevarrÃa.
BRAZIL
-Amazing stuff for genre fans who are in São Paulo during this week, a David Cronenberg festival, with the screening of movies and the showcase of several props from his films, is happening at a place called Moinho , from Monday until Friday. The festival, called "Carlton Arts", will screen movies beginning at 16:00. Some of the movies included are "Videodrome", "Dead Ringers" and "Naked Lunch". Some really cool props from "The Fly" and other movies of Cronenberg´s will be there as well.
More info at: www.carltonarts.com.br
-Coffin Joe Jr. Movie Review
"A Partilha" (2001)
Directed by Daniel Filho
Local movie. Big local female stars. Big marketing push from the number one TV network in the country, which produced the pic. Veteran director with a decent TV track record. Yup, sounds decent enough. Well, it is, but the problem is it´s a CHICK FLICK. You know what I mean. You know what I´m talking about. We hate them them like we hate Doctor Doom, we despise them like we despise N´Synch, it´s the worst kind of movie for the typical AICN reader. Why did I bother? it had CHCIK FLICK written all over it. Yet, I did what I had to do as a reviewer. I went and saw it. Now, I regret it. It´s all about women, their world, their anxieties, their worries, their passions, their aspirations, hopes, dreams...........make it stop, please for the love of God. Lots of young couples in the audience, guys bored out their minds, girlfriends laughing, having a blast. So much fun. NOT.
I´ll be a good reviewer dude and just give you freaks a brief description of the plot, just in case anyone is still reading this after my incredibly positive first paragraph. Basically it´s about four sisters, who because of their mother´s death, have to meet after a long period apart and share the apartment and everything else their mom left for them, waiting to see who gets what, while they work out their differences and try to be sisters again. Oh, how touching and moving. NOT. They talk, and they talk, then they talk some more, but no real drama comes out of it. It´s an ensemble piece, yet it never seems to be cohesive or give the audience any sense of chemistry between the actresses. I´m sorry but, this is a movie that relies on acting, yet the acting ain´t there.
Besides the whole CHICK FLICK thing and the uneven performances, what´s so atrocious about this movie is the complete lack of visual style. Nada. Zero. Zip. No style. It looks like a TV show. Why did they bother to shoot the damn thing on film, I´ll never now. Looks cheap, bland, uninspired.
The only saving grace is the script, which has clever dialogue and some good scenes between the ladies. Other than that, sorry but nothing to look forward to.
Visit the movie´s website at: www.apartilha.com
I´m done for this week.
Coffin Joe Jr. says: bye.
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