El traje

Patricio (newcomer Eugenio Roca) is a young black immigrant from Guiné living in the outskirts of a big Spanish city. No-nonsense, strict and proud, he shares a small apartment with two other African immigrants, has menial jobs and faces his daily share of racism and prejudice. One day, an American basketball star-player gives him an elegant suit ("El Traje" = "The suit") and, as soon as he wears it, it feels kind of magical: people no longer treat him as scum or invisible, and even a lovely girl (Vanesa Cabeza) gives him some attention.

But things suddenly go wrong: he's forced to leave his apartment and spends the night in a lodging, where middle-aged-white- Spanish small-time con artist Pan con Queso (Manuel Morón) picks all Patricio's money (which in fact belongs to a friend) while he's asleep. He goes after Pan to get the money back, but Pan has by now spent all of it. Pan, threatened by Patricio's physical superiority and relentless pursuit, proposes him a deal: that now-homeless Patricio moves in the abandoned, decrepit hotel he lives in until he gets the money to pay Patricio back. At first loathing Pan's petty scams but having to condone with them (and even participate) so he can have his money back, Patricio gradually realizes the suit is no shield from society's prejudice and that he and Pan -- beyond differences of skin color, country of origin, age and social/cultural background -- share the same basic "handicap": being poor, unemployed and outcasts in a society ruled by cash, property and exterior signs of wealth.

Director Alberto Rodríguez avoids sentimentality and pseudo-social-thesis tone, fights most clichés and includes a welcome subtle sense of humor. However, the film is hampered by young Eugenio Roca's stiff one-note acting, and by too many side stories and supporting characters. Definite pluses are Manuel Morón's rich characterization as Pan and Vanesa Cabeza's disarming beauty and charm. "El Traje" is an interesting (if not exciting) film, worth a look to see how social prejudice and racism are expressed very much the same way in most rich capitalist cities around the world -- the film could easily take place in Chicago, Paris, Hamburg, Tokyo or Sydney, with very little need for any adaptation.

Affectionate drama-comedy-denounce about friendship , racism and illegal immigration in Spain , being set in the outskirts of the big Spanish city called Sevilla . Patricio (Jimmy Roca) is a young black immigrant from Guinea Ecuatorial living at a decrepit apartment along with other African colleagues . Patricio is an honest , honorable boy who faces hard workings . One day, an American basketball star-player gives him a nice suit and , as soon as he wears it , there takes place a little miracle : he is treated with respect and attention, and he even gets together with a gorgeous girl (Vanesa Cabeza) . As the happenings go awry when police enters at home and obligate them to abandon that place . Patricio then spends the night in a flophouse , where meets a mature swindler called Pan (Manuel Moron) who steals his money which in fact belongs to another immigrant . Rogue Pan is a racketeer who lives by means of petty scams and cheats . The veteran man proposes him a covenant : that now-homeless Patricio moves in a rotten hotel he lives in until he gets the cash to pay him back .

This is a moving portrait of racism , social prejudice and illegal immigration from Africa . Close Dramedy (drama and comedy) with sensitive friendship , emotion , twists , a love story and racist elements ; including enjoyable performances with outcast roles were pretty well developed . The picture concerns about an agreeable friendship , taking place issues about xenophobia and racism in which African roles predominate along with the middle-age artist con . The picture relies heavily on the lively relationship among protagonists ; both of them share their same characteristics : they are drifters , unfortunates , poor and unemployed and living at an environment run by money , opulence , richness and luxury . It deals with illegal emigrants ; they are without the proper papers and without a penny to their name . African immigrants sometimes find bad-paid , part-time work ; it is the kind of work that only illegal immigrants can get . This can be the story of many faceless and nameless immigrants in any country that live in ¨Pisos Patera¨ and face uphill challenges all the way through their illegal immigration . As most of them share small apartments with other African immigrants and have menial jobs . Good acting by Eugenio Roca as proud , upright , strict immigrant and excellent Manuel Moron as a small-time trickster called Pan Con Queso . This brooding as well as hilarious flick can be defined as a thought-provoking comedy , an exciting fresco with emotion , racism and a social fable ; however , I found him to be just too predictable and not driven . Because the story needs a vibration more real than the one offered in this sometimes predictable flick , though also contains funny and interesting moments . As the picture is more a comedy than a denounce-film . Anyway , its is compensated with the great performances from main starring : Eugenio Roca and Manuel Moron , interpreters who provided a considerable boost to the result . Other films concerning illegal immigration result to be the followings : Bwana (1996) by Imanol Uribe with Andres Pajares , Maria Barranco , ¨Cartas a Alou¨ (1990) by Montxo Armendariz with Eulàlia Ramon , Mulie Jarju and ¨Ilegal¨ (2003) by Ignacio Vilar with Lucía Jiménez and Chete Lera .

Evocative and atmospheric soundtrack , including Andalucian music . Colorful cinematography by award-winning Alex Catalan , he carries out an appropriate cinematography of the city of Sevilla , he is a good cameraman who has photographed a lot of successful films such as ¨Even the rain¨ , ¨Grupo 7¨, ¨Habitacion En Roma¨ and ¨Voz Dormida¨. The motion picture was well directed by Alberto Rodriguez . Alberto Rodríguez was born on May 11, 1971 in Seville , Andalucía, Spain . He is a good director and writer, known for Grupo 7 (2012), 7 Vírgenes (2005) and After (2009) . He previously realized ¨El Traje¨ and ¨Factor Pilgrim¨ . The latest from this director was the successful ¨Isla Minima¨ (2014) . Acceptable and passable film , 6.5/10 . I think results to be an entertaining film with several interesting scenes . To an outsider, someone who's not a fan of a particular genre , anything that looks somewhat familiar can be grounds for dialing the cliché social comedy , but I think results to be a fun film with several scenes that'll have you entertaining . Well worth watching .

I saw this film at the San Sebastian 2002 festival. To be honest, I went to see it just because I had three hours free, and this one was just at that time.

But I really liked it. In fact, it was the best movie I saw there. It makes you think.

What is more important, what you are or what people think of you? In fact, what are you going to believe? What you know about yourself or what people think they know about you?

Give it a try, it will be worth your time.