Blood

A brave film that takes Mexican cinema in a new way of telling stories. Without professional actors, with low budget, is a fresh and critical sight of the Mexican quotidian reality of a middle class couple, Cirilo Recio and Claudia Orozco. She works in a pizzeria and he is guardian of a public building. T.V. soap operas, mechanical sex are their every day life, interrupted by the unexpected presence of Cirilo's daughter who gives a twist to the story. Their human values are exposes through a great cinematography by Alex Fenton, with a new way of seeing the reality. The price given in Cannes in "Une certain regard", (Fipresci) and in the Thessalonica film fest by Vittoiro Storaro -as president of the jury- are testimony of the importance of the film particularly for the Mexican cinema, nevertheless it was produced 100% with European funds. Amat Escalante, who worked as assistant to Carlos Reygadas (co producer of Sangre) in Battle in heaven, is certainly one of the new leaden talents.

First of all...I WANT MY MONEY BACK!- THIS MOVIE WAS IN COMPETITION!. ''THE STORY IS ABOUT A MARRIAGE THAT HAS A BORING LIFE AND EVERYTHING CHANGES Because OF THE MAN'S DAUGHTER ARRIVING''...It called my attention...I have to admit, but... I went to see this movie(?) at the BAFICI in Buenos Aires because I (and also all the people who was in the cinema with me) thought that it would be an interesting movie as many of the movies of the festival...but IT WASN'T AT ALL!...MY GOD! WHAT A BORING AND PRETENSIOUS MOVIE!!! I've seen lots of movies where the actors weren't professional and even though they made excellent performances but in this particular case they make an awful job! During the movie they weren't able to transmit any emotion...although sometimes they cried, they said ''I love you'', they fought... but they never showed sensitivity...they were like stone-shaped people... In the end of the movie is very difficult to give it a meaning... but the only thing that we could feel is that the director wanted to do something small but deep and with a message... OK, let me tell you something: the only thing that you'll perceive during the movie is emptiness...

I don't understand the technique of NON ACTORS. The only thing that Amat and his mega hero Carlos Reygadas achieve, is to have the worse acting performance ever. This poor people, can't even interpret themselves. Please guys, read slowly the Bresson notes, or watch his movies...

Of course in France they can't understand the difference between a good dialog in Spanish, an the pathetic words that you put in the mouth of your non existing characters.

It is your responsibility, to take this only good faces, to the next level. But I guess that as usually, Mexican curious, sells...

anyway, I guess we have to thank that you are trying to do something different.. thanks?

Technically it is a very good movie, the cinematography is excellent, the camera shots were carefully designed, the sound is top notch. It also succeeds in portraying the life of a medium-low class Mexican couple. And in my opinion the main character's performance as a dull individual with a dull existence is great.

The problem is that not much happens. The same story could've been told efficiently in 20 minutes (I don't see the point in investing 3 to 4 minutes of film time in watching the wife getting the table ready for breakfast and frying a couple of eggs). It has interesting elements but as a piece of cinema is way too slow and sometimes boring.

I did find the earlier reader review by someone from Mexico very useful as this film, while quite good, needed the context that the viewer gave it. There is no sense in repeating what was said. I was born within yards of the Mexican border, in Southwestern Arizona along the Colorado River, and this film reminded me of San Luis, R.C., where i once covered a murder trial for the Yuma Daily Sun. Fortunately, the accused man, a U.S. born guy of Mexican origin, was acquitted thanks to a lot of footwork all around. This film describes plainly the bleak existence for many people down in Mexico, and it does not polish the legend of Happy Cheerful People slapping backs with funny accents. It has no stereotypes of any kind. Also, it was good to see a Mexican film not set in Mexico City. I understand the director is only 29 years old. Do not expect any fables in this film. In that sense it is really a slice of life and also echos the architectural concept of Less is More....