Sex aus Mitgefühl

I watched the movie as part of a Spanish study project. I am fairly new to foreign films in general and am fascinated by the different cultural ideas that come through. In this film, the story was very simple on one hand but on another level - greatly complex. Seeing the comedy of another culture other than the one I was raised in is possibly one of the most educational ways to understand that culture. I throughly enjoyed the movie and don't feel that I can improve on the improve upon the already great comments posted here, but...... I do have a question about the soundtrack? I am haunted by the song sung during the closing credits - its beautiful and the singer has a wonderful voice. Does anyone know who sings the song (and the title) which is on the closing credits. I've poured over all of the credits a dozen times and searched the musical composers, and a number of the other names, but can't find the song or artist. I don't think she was credited, but my Spanish is not good enough yet to know for sure. If anyone knows the artist or song, I'd greatly appreciate a comment.

'Sexo por compasión' (COMPASSIONATE SEX) is a rare little film created in 2000 by Spanish director and writer Laura Mañá that dares to address controversial issues of marital fidelity, the 'oldest profession in the world', the impotence of a Catholic priest in holding his community together, and the irresistible importance of physical discourse in mending misconceptions and misunderstandings. Quite a challenge taking on all of these topics, but Laura Mañá has the skills to pull it off with the use of 'magical realism' and alluring cinematic knowledge and techniques. The final product is a joy! The setting is a small village (either in Spain or Mexico, we are not told exactly) on the verge of dying due to the bland boredom and blanket sadness of the town folk, the lack of children being born and in general due to a languorous malaise. The film is shot not in black and white but varying shades of gray. Dolores (Elisabeth Margoni) is an overweight childless woman obsessed with doing good deeds for others, a fact that drives her husband Manolo (José Sancho) berserk, threatening that if Dolores is unable to come up with an act that demands his forgiveness he will abandon her. Dolores seeks advice from the village priest (Juan Carlos Colombo) in confessional, but the haughty padre is angered by the fact that Dolores daily visits the confessional with nothing to confess. He tells her to go out and sin and then he will be able to hear her confession! Manolo leaves and the devastated Dolores is encouraged to move into the tavern owned by Floren (Mariola Fuentes) and with the loving advice of her friends she hears that the town is dying because the married couples are depressed. The sensitive Dolores hears from both the men and the women and under the pseudonym of Lolita, she invites the husbands to her new bed for free advice, consensual sex and enrichment. Lolita has discovered the source of the town's sadness and soon has slept with every man and keeps her free nurturing going while the women of the village marvel at how their husbands have changed for the better. At this point the town becomes alive, lovely, flowers grow, etc and the film is now in color.

Seeing the changes that have occurred drives the priest to build a cross and perform a ritual crucifixion! The women find Manolo and tell him how the town has changed and why - and the fact that all of the villagers consider Dolores/Lolita a saint. Manolo returns, is enraged, gathers the men together to convince them his wife is a prostitute and the town's life and joy return to the gray of black and white film. The women of the village are convinced that Manolo must be informed as to the sacrifice Lolita has been making and in order to do so they visit Manolo's humble house and line up for a toss in the hay with Manolo: after only several of the many women exit the house with smiles and gleams of physical satisfaction, Manolo weakly emerges admitting that such a process is indeed a sacrifice! How the village manages this mutual acceptance of Dolores and Manolo and incorporates the newfound 'therapy' into their lives constitutes the warmly humorous ending.

The large cast of unknown actors is splendid. There are many cameos (Leocadia played by Leticia Huijara is a zany old lady who insists on photographing herself and the events of the village on a daily basis!, etc) and Laura Mañá handles the direction of this potentially difficult story with amazing finesse. We can only hope she continues to create other films as unique and satisfying as SEXO POR COMPASION! Grady Harp

Much like "Lolita", the main character of the film, "Sexo por compasión", the film, revitalizes the desire to live in all who experience her. The beginnings of the film are decidedly gloomy and grey, but it grows colourful and cheerful. During its progress, it touches on sensitive themes of love and sex with a profound understanding. Despite its adult themes, the movie is as far removed from porn and "erotica" as possible. It is intended indeed for mature viewers, who do not need nudity or sweaty sex scenes to understand the themes.

This is a strong movie on all accounts. Deliberate directing, charming characters and an optimistic view of life bring it well through. What's noteworthy about the characters is that they aren't cast into restrictive roles, instead they work together to create a living village. Humorous, warm-hearted and imaginative, everybody should see Sexo por compasión.

This interesting film deals with Dolores, Elisabeth Margoni, a 40 and some year old woman whose hubby , Jose Sancho, left her because of he can not stand her big generosity. Dolores runs a bar along with Floren, Mariola Fuentes, and she dedicates her life to work by helping people, which is to go to bed with other men of the little town such as Damian Alcazar, Alex Angulo, among others . Dolores, now called Lolita, turns to be so famous, thanks to her peculiar charity, that all men seek out her particular services. Things go wrong when her husband returns to the town and he learns her surprising activities.

Joyful and agreeable Spanish, Mexican film shot in Tlaxcala, Mexico. This a vibrant and feeling flick with enjoyable and bewildering scenes, it gets together drama and comedy : dramedy, though it is more comedy than drama. Despite its adult issue is by far an erotic film, but a wistful comedy and rated Parents Guide. At the beginning it is slow moving, sad and strange, but later on, it grows joyous and cheerful. This warm film is pretty well , even if has a silly and uneven plot flowing throughout, containing an unlikely and incredible premise, as a mature and kind woman who works to charity, providing happiness to a little town immersed in sadness by going to bed with all villagers. To be said that through her compassionate sex she brings the color to the town, in fact the first part of the movie is photographed in black and white and subsequently colour cinematography by cameraman Hofmann. The picture packs ridiculous incidents, light drama, brief laughs, confusion and mayhem. The flick follows the wake of Mexican and South American style : Magical Realism.

The movie was compellingly produced by Filmax : Carlos Fernandez, Julio Fernandez who have financed a lot of the Spanish cinema hits as Sleep tight, Transsiberian, The machinist, The way, Summer camp, Bullying, Rec saga, The returned, and cartoon, 3D films as Raton Perez, El Cid, Ginsaku, Donkeyxote . Being well and professionally directed by Laura Maña. She is a notorious secondary actress playing in films as Romasanta, Stand-by, Nowhere, Libertarias, Pasion Turca, Teta y luna. And she has directed a few prestigious films as Concepcion Arenal, Clara Campoamor, La vida empieza hoy, To die in San Hilario ,and Palabras encadenadas. This Sexo Por Compasion won awards in various Festivals such as : Rotterdam International Festival 2001 to best first work to Laura Maña, Guadalajara International Festival, Malaga Festival , Miamic Hispanic Film Festival and several others.

In a small village in Spain, the middle-aged Dolores (Elisabeth Margooni) is a very good catholic woman, considered almost a saint by the villagers. However, her beloved husband Manolo (José Sancho) leaves her with the argument that she was too perfect, without any sin in her life. Dolores tries to find how she could commit a sin, and in the local bar she hears that the worst thing a woman could do to a man was to cheat him with another man. Dolores adopts the pseudonym of Lolita and has sex for compassion with all the men of the village. The local priest becomes jealous with the situation, since people compare Dolores with a saint and she raises money to rebuild the church. The small town becomes colorful and brightness with her attitude. Things change when Manolo returns to the village. This surreal movie uses the idea of the 1998 `Pleasantville', regarding to the use of black & white and colors to express the feeling of the villagers. The direction of Laura Mañá and the performance of the unknown cast are marvelous. The simple story hooks-up the attention of the viewer along the 109 minutes without being boring in any moment. The soundtrack is another magnificent attraction of this wonderful film. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): ` Sexo Por Compaixão' (` Sex For Compassion')