Largo viaje

One of the best movies filmed in Chile.

Sample through the eyes of a young child (4 years old?) the city of Santiago, crossing from a peripheral, central, and finally reaching the river Mapocho, home pariahs.

The child comes from a very poor family. The story begins in a wake of a newborn sibling, where it is mixed with the sadness, drink and party.

The child is lost and begins to walk toward the center of Santiago know where the fauna can live as human.

The director never lost the vision of a child and the audience is frustrated by the weakness and strength of innocence.

The film that tells the story of a boy who wants to give his deceased brother the "wings" to go to heaven. Dangerous, hostile, and violent route, which shows us the two faces of Santiago. The film is perhaps the most representative of the so-called New Chilean Cinema and tells the story of a child's journey through the streets of Santiago seeking to deliver to the cardboard wings. According to the tradition in rural Chile, a baby who dies while being born becomes an angel and its death is an event. During the celebration, the child is dressed in white and given paper wings so he can go to heaven. In a Chilean town, a boy watches as his brother is born and then taken to the graveyard the next day. However, he discovers the paper wings have been left behind. The young boy embarks on a wonderful voyage through the town, all for the salvation of an angel. Largo Viaje(1967) takes a provocative subject matter, fills it up with heart, soul & compassion, and exquisitely juggles absurd theme of the poverty vs rich in the perspective of the child. Adding more richness to the story is the sincere inputs from both the young & veteran members of the cast, each playing their roles with emotional honesty. The interactions between characters remain interesting, plus their arcs exhibit genuine depth. Also makes sure that an undercurrent of seriousness is evident between the lines and the dramatic portions & dark moments do pack the required emotional punch. On an overall scale, A Long Journey is a warm-hearted effort from that finds the Chilean filmmaker doing what he does best and is another impressive addition to his short repertoire. A passionately crafted tale with its heart at the right place which will appease every palate.

This is beautifully underestimated film that proves how powerful a simple plot can be when it's told with sincerity and heart. Set in Chile during the 1960s, it captures the soul of a country in transition, seen through the eyes of the young protagonist whose quiet determination drives the emotional weight of the story.

Rather than relying on plot twists or dramatic spectacle, the film unfolds gently, drawing upon subtle nuanc. Its strength lies in the emotional purity of its central journey, one that speaks to themes of love, faith, and human dignity.

The performances are natural and deeply affecting, especially from the young lead, whose presence holds the film together with remarkable depth and grace.

This is a very interesting movie. It shows us some ancient traditions from Chile and a social portraits where the problems (poverty, violence, prostitution) are still the same. Being a social film, it is not a sad one. Largo Viaje is full of tenderness and the humour is always present between all the drama. I recommend this movie for those who wants to know about the way the Chileans are.