The Sea

At this year's Sundance, I saw Eduardo Arnal's 'The Sea.' I was obviously going in not expecting anything at all with a completely free and open mind, but in fact, I was most impressed. The film opens with carefully timed sequences, pulling you into the film from the start, as if you were watching the film's trailer. Immediately, the musical score, pace of the story, and even the titles all swayed in harmony. And from this, the film's story was built. A dozen characters were then smoothly introduced, and we followed them (all part of a dysfunctional family) through their dramatic interventions with each other through love, hate, and interest, often with loads of humor. And for you subtitle haters, the film actually takes place in various countries, so you will get some English too. And while it is interesting to follow these characters' irrationalities and bizarre acts of anger, Nina Jones (the cinematographer) does an amazing work with the camera and how the story is told. When you finally meet the end of this interesting film, you will certainly be much surprised as it is filled with plot twists that may not leave you completely surprised, but, along with the beginning of the film, they sway with the film in a way that is quite beautiful. I would definitely recommend this film, for everyone I saw it with was enamored by it, and I certainly hope for it to have a good future, and U.S. release.

I enjoyed this introductory film from the Spanish director(Edu). It reminded me of "Deadman" by Jim Jarmush...

I like how the Canadian railway is shown in its earliest days of construction. A period piece is difficult to do and I thought that it was well put together. Way to go Eduardo, I hope to see more in the future.

The film followed a nice pace about a man in search of himself, who meets with a native woman taken from her home and on the run. A stark catalyst of the times when the settlers had stolen and tricked natives out of their land. She as a strong women was used well to show a different prospective and to empower her over the boy who was becoming a man. While lost in the back country looking to follow the railway tracks he runs into here as it fate and they both learn from one another while men with guns track her down. Very suspenseful.. I liked it all the way up to the end.