ma-cortes
This is an engaging tale narrated in sensitivity and intelligence and are treated ethic and moral issues developed in great sense of ductility and fairness . Dealing with the story of a family – Harry, Midget and their parents- , as they go into hiding , being based on the notorious novel written by Marcelo Figueras who breaks down his book 'Kamchatka'. It is set in 1976 , Argentina , there happens a coup d'etat led by General Videla and other officers . Thousands of citizens opposed to military regime are chased and kidnapped , as there are numerous missing people . Ten-year-old Harry , who does not know that Argentina's 1976 coup d'état is impacting his life . After witnessing the "disappearance" of dissident friends , a human rights advocate at law (Ricardo Darín) and his research scientist spouse (Cecilia Roth) take their children from school , Harry and his little brother , leave their home and all of them go to a vacant summer house . They flee the city and hide at a far mansion from the military police . With them are their two kids : Harry (Matia Del Pozo) , who is fascinated with the escape artistry of ¨Harry Houdini¨ , ¨Mandrake¨ and TV series as ¨Roy Thinnes' The Invaders¨ (1967) , ¨Simon Templar's The Saint¨ and along with the little guy (Milton De La Canal) , nicknamed El Enano (The actual translation is "dwarf") , they form a close-knit family living at a hidden house . Both of whom finally learn the meaning of the family and help each other . At the countryside mansion , all of them adopt new identities and try to lead a normal life . Subtly hinted , however, and used as a metaphor , is the mother's constant smoking and El Enano's renewed bed-wetting . After that , at the location placed in city outskirts , they are joined by a young student who is using the alias Lucas (Tomás Fonzi) and he really befriends Harry . Their new life is difficult , but a visit with their estranged grandparents : grandmother(Fernanda Mistral) and grandfather (Héctor Alterio) reveals that they are still an intimate family . As a host of characters , completely change the tedious life of Harry .Enticing as well as intelligent film plenty of good feeling , sense , deep sensibility as well as a well written script delving into the human psyche , showing how stressful and precarious situation of a beloved family is . Based on Marcelo Figueras' novel "Kamchatka" - who grew up in Argentina and currently lives in Barcelona- , this is his first to be translated into English concerning about the foursome takes on new identities at the beginning of Argentina's Dirty War in 1976 ; the 309-page book is told from Harry's perspective and takes its title from a key territory in the board game Risk . The film is seen through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy , being an agreeable , quiet film , perfectly acted and concerning the narration about the relationship between parents and children . This is a brooding yarn in which there is a psychologically intense character studio of the likable members of a peculiar family being harassed , chased , pursued by the military regime . The film attempts to spread optimism about the events of life , in spite of the relentless pursuit they suffer , with its amusing sides and dark areas . Trying to be realistic and make everything as in a fairytale but giving way to mirth and humor . In addition , the film gives us a nice panorama about a middle-class family , its pity , goodness, sacrifice , companionship and various situations happen in its existence . Marcelo Piñeyro tries to mix genres ranging from comedy to melodrama with some sensitive touches . The veteran actors , Ricardo Darin and Cecilia Roth give very good performances . Gentle , sympathetic the little boy played by Matias Del Pozo along with his brother , Milton De La Canal . It is an endearing and intimate film , well directed and well acted by a fine cast , but perhaps fails a little the main protagonist , Harry , whose optimism is as obvious that results to be excessive . Supporting cast is frankly excellent as Tomas Fonzi and aged players as Héctor Alterio and Fernanda Mistral . Colorful cinematography by Alfredo Mayo , considered to be one of the best Spanish cameraman , author of splendid photographs in notorious films such as ¨Mondays in the sun¨, ¨Kika , ¨High heels¨ , "Sex, Party and Lies" , "The Galíndez File" , ¨Heroína¨ and several others . Lively , moving as well as emotive musical score by Bingen Mendizábal . Adding known songs adapted with roots in popular music of the seventies ; recreating the essence of the epoch with vintage songs , accompanying sensual melodies and lyrics such as ¨Son Tus Perfumes Mujer¨, including some memorable images when the family members dance themselves . The motion picture was well directed by Marcelo Pyñeiro and it was Argentina's official submission for the 2002 Oscar Awards, Foreign Language film category . He was born in 1953 in Buenos Aires, Argentina . Marcelo usually works with his fetish actor , Leonardo Sbaraglia . Piñeyro is a director and writer , especially known for ¨Plata Quemada¨ (2000) and , of course , the big hit : ¨El Método¨ or ¨the Method¨ (2005) . Marcelo has directed the following films -being most of them dramas and thrillers- : 2009 ¨La Viudas De Jueves¨ , 2003 ¨Kamchatka¨ , 2000 ¨Plata Quemada¨ or ¨Burst money¨ , 1997 ¨Cenizas del Paraíso¨ , 1995 ¨Caballos Salvajes¨ and 1993 ¨Tango Feroz¨ . Rating : 7/10 .
Luigicarranza8
The last week I had the great opportunity of seeing one of the most shocking and outstanding movie of the Latin America cinema. I had the luck of seeing "Kamchatka" the Argentinian movie of a family living through the "Dirty War" in the 1970s. Its such a great story because it shows a point of view of the war not ever seen before, it the shows the life of the people hiding and not necessary the actual war. This movie might be very calm and lack of action but it deals with a very harsh theme that is war and it gets its point across very smoothly. The plot of this story is of a family, that like many others during this war, had to leave their houses and hide away and pray to not get caught by the military. In the "Dirty War", important people and other normal civilians would be kidnapped daily, around 30,00 was the estimate of missing people by the end of the war. The story revolves around the life of this family in their hideout and how they try to live a normal life. To keep themselves safe in their new hideout, this family has to change everyone's name, so we now them by the names they invent, the dad is David Vincent, the mom is just called mom, the oldest kid is called Harry and the little brother is known as 'El Enano'.The main characters, or the cast, are composed by Ricardo Darín as Dad or David Vincent, Cecilia Roth as Mom Vincent, Matías Del Pozo as Harry, Milton De La Canal as Simón or El enano, and Héctor Alterio as Grandfather. This are not all the actors that were in the movie but this stood out the most. Ricardo Darín (David Vincent) and Cecilia Roth (Mom Vincent) made an amazing job in the acting, they made an excellent job conveying the emotions of the people who lived through this war. Matías Del Pozo or Harry was also outstanding in his acting despite only being 10 years old in the movie.This movie could have been improved much more in the sense of showing more about the reality of war. Some scenes like when they came back to their runaway house could have been more dramatic in order to get more the attention of the viewer. Other scene where really good and did a great job grasping the attention of the audience such as the dance scene, where we saw how the family kept happy and together throughout those hard times. The scene of the shooting starts is another great example of this scenes that break the tension and show the good side of the story."Kamchatka" shows us a very dark theme, war, specially the "Dirty War" but this is not a documentary about this war, it is a movie. Because its a movie, it is made not only to inform but to leave lessons to the audience. A lesson that is clearly shown through out all the movie and in the scenes of the dance and the shooting stars is that there is always light in the the darkest places. This family is living hell but they always find time for each other and to be happy. Another lesson this film conveys is the cruelty in human nature. Again and again it is shown the innocence of this family but this does not stop their horrible persecution.This movie is directed to any type of audience, it contains from comedy to very serious scenes. It deals with a very complicated theme but it displays it in a very simple way to understand. The lack of action and romance is bad news for young audiences but all the other aspects make this movie a perfect movie for almost anyone. If there had to be a recommendation, mainly this movie would be recommended from young adults and to all type of ages above. This film has a rating of 7.3, a very harsh rating for such a great film but still a very it is a good rating for a Latin American movie.
melle-smit
This film leaves you all possibilities to form your own impressions. From the beginning till the end there are no data which supply you information about the the characters, what was their fault, what did they do and what would happen after. Still, all these questions are automatically answered when one knows and realizes what was happening in Argentina. The close harmony in which the family lives, the game the father is playing with his son has a educational life value. He will learn how to manipulate and stand in the world when he has grown up. The decision to bring their children to their grandfather,the running after a leaving car, gives you all the reason to use a handkerchief. Who wants to leave his children behind? What will happen to the parents? It is amazing that still today, there are people like Mr Zorrequita who deny that this ever happened. They simply did not know??? Where have we heard this before? A beautiful film. TOP
