L'autre moitié du ciel

A great film that challenges the identification of women with the domestic sphere. The protagonist's somber struggle involves breaking into the world of Franco's male dominated 70's - not directly after the Spanish Civil War-that was in the 30's. A touch of the surreal but the darker, more reserved Spanish style, not the colorful magical realism of Latin America.

Nicely cradled in José Luis Alcaine's tender and mood-setting photography, combining so tastefully with music mostly by Milladoiro, modern-day Galician troubadours, `La Mitad del Cielo' (one of Mao Tsé Tung's snippets, maybe?) is an enchanting if sometimes slightly long-winded story set in the beautiful valley of Pas, Santander, and in Madrid, between the late fifties and the early part of the sixties.

Angela Molina carries out an acceptable performance, mostly enhanced by Alcaine's clever use of light and camera-work so as to bring out her haunting look so frequently in this film. Ably backed up by some actors who were to become well-known a little later, such as Santiago Ramos (Como un Relámpago, qv), she survives fairly well. But both Margarita Lozano and Fernán Gómez tower above her with really fine performances. Personally I prefer to listen to her father Antonio Molina who was a great singer of fine Spanish songs, and who, like other singers of the times, appeared in numerous films of doubtful parentage in the 50s and 60s.

A leisurely approach is adopted in the telling of the story as Rosa grows up in the beautiful valley, marries a travelling knife-sharpener, and later gets employed as a wet-nurse in Madrid. Sociological and political aspects of the times form a back-cloth without being obtrusive but to useful effect. However I do feel that a goodly part of the last 15-20 minutes or so were unnecessary. Indeed I have noted a 90 minute version of this film, which would seem to suggest somebody has cut out some of the superfluous scenes, which, generally, would be dead against my principles with almost any film.

However, do not misunderstand me: I would see this film again as it has many sensitive scenes skillfully handled.

Slightly above seven out of ten on my scale.

There's a sly magic at work in this fascinating Spanish feature: not the high-tech sleight-of-hand conjured up by the FX wizards, but the more natural magic found in the unseen order of chance and circumstance. On a superficial level the film traces 13 years in the life of a peasant girl from rural Spain (Angela Molina), seeking her fortune in the big city as the owner of a fashionable restaurant patronized by the rich and powerful. But just below the surface of the story is a deceptively (super) natural subtext, showing the invisible ties binding Molina, for better or worse, to the other generations of women in her family, in particular to her earthy, cigar-chomping abuela, who extends her unseen influence from beyond the grave through Molina's demure, otherworldly young daughter. The title of the film is borrowed from an old proverb which says "women are half of heaven", and the almost mystical (and for Molina, sometimes inconvenient) rapport between daughter and grandmother is revealed in a sometimes witty, sometimes haunting web of timely but not entirely random accidents, adding up to an unusual film of rare depth and beauty.

This movie has "haunted" me since I saw it five or six years ago, and I keep trying to find a place where I could rent it again. The scenery is awesome -- green and fertile. The story captures the little-known Celtic side (i.e., magical side) of the folks from northern Spain. It is a slice-of-life quite unlike my own life -- and makes you think. See it at least once.

Rural and urban drama set in wonderful landscapes and starred by Spanish all-star-cast , such as Angela Molina , Fernando Fernán Gómez , Santiago Ramos , Antonio Valero and being well directed by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon . It deals with Rosa's life (Angela Molina) from her adolescence at a village in Cantabria region to the sixties in which she triumphs in Madrid , ruling a great restaurant . In Valle De Pas , Rosa lives with her parents (Raul Freire , Concha Hidalgo) and siblings (Enriqueta Carballeira , Mercedes Lezcano) . But Rosa flees from her sad home and goes to the capital , Madrid . At the beginning , Rosa gets a stand at the market where sells tripe , sweetbread , liver , kidney , tongue and other guts . A bit later on , with the help of Don Pedro (Fernando Fernán Gómez) , a chief supplies , she opens a restaurant that transforms in an intellectual and political center .

The brilliant first part is set in Valle De Pas , next to Torrelavega , Cantabria , North of Spain , with little dialogue and narrative ellipsis . Here several characters are presented , the stiff-upper-lip father , the haunting grandmother , and her future husband : Santiago Ramos , who goes into prison . The second part describes how Rosa arrives in Madrid as maid of the wealthy Don Pedro , magnificently played by Fernando Fernan Gomez , as always . This interesting film deals with thought-provoking drama of human emotions crammed with social habits , family relationship and love stories . Its style is pretty much agreeable and realistic as well in the atmosphere as in the fresh dialog , but also including magical elements as when the deceased grandmother appears . This film describes the rural life , including a character studio of local people along with their lives in the big city with markets , shops and restaurants ; however , it relies heavily on Rosa's family relationships . The picture belongs to Manuel Gutierrez Aragon's trilogy , formed by : 1ª : ¨Demonios En Jardín¨ (1982) , 2ª : ¨Mitad Del Cielo¨ (1986) or ¨Half of Heaven¨ and 3ª : ¨El Rey Del Rio¨(1999) , all of the them concerning about chronicles of the post-Spanish Civil War until the ¨political transition¨ . The film talks about ¨Food¨, as various characters appear eating and preparing vegetable stews , meats , dishes , and other stews . Well played by known and notorious actors such as Angela Molina playing a Cantabrian woman who travels to Madrid after the Civil War to get a great triumph and Fernando Fernán Gómez steals the show as old supplies chief who falls in love for Rosa . Support cast is frankly good , such as Margarita Lozano as mysterious grandmother , Paula Molina as a teen of lurid imagination , Raul Freire as a grumpy father who pulls off coercing methods , Nacho Martínez as stiff public official and Francisco Merino as likable shopkeeper . Good production design by Jose Luis Cerezo , correctly reflecting the atmosphere by that time and location . Evocative gowns by expert costumer Gerardo Vera . Splendid photography with juicy atmosphere by the prestigious Jose Luis Alcaine . Alcaine was first cinematographer to use fluorescent tube as "key" lightning and deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameramen . Alcaine frequently works with Pedro Almodóvar , Bigas Luna and Vicente Aranda , he has photographed a lot of successes . Being appropriately filmed on location , showing one colorful filming from Valle De Pas , Cantabria , North of Spain . Traditional and folklorist score by a great folk band , Milladoiro . The picture won numerous prizes such as Fotogramas De Plata 1987 to Best Film , Best Movie Actor : Fernando Fernán Gómez ; Goya Awards 1987 to Best Movie Actress : Angela Molina , Best Cinematography : José Luis Alcaine , Best Costume Design : Gerardo Vera ; San Sebastian International Film Festival won Golden SeaShell : best filmmaker and best actress .

The motion picture perfectly produced by magnificent producer , Luis Megino (also screenwriter) was compellingly written and directed by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon , a good Spanish movies director . Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón was born on January 2 , 1942 in Torrelavega , Cantabria, where uses to set most of films , including Valley Pas . He is a writer and director, known for Habla, Mudita (1973) , Camada Negra (1977) , Maravillas (1981) , Demonios en el Jardín (1982) , Feroz (1984) , Visionarios (2001) , Todos Estamos Invitados (2008) . He began working in cinema in 1973 when he filmed ¨Habla Mudita ¨ , this debut feature by acclaimed Spanish director deals with a strange relationship between a mature men and a mute villager and also set in rural country from Valley Pas . Manuel Gutierrez is a well recognized filmmaker both nationally and internationally, and in proof of it he won many prizes among which there are the following ones : David di Donatello Awards , Moscow International Film Festival , and San Sebastian International Festival award to ¨Demonios en Jardin¨ , Goya Awards 1987 to ¨La Mitad del Cielo¨ , Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain and Berlin Internation Festival 1996 to ¨Rey del Rio¨ , Biarritz International Festival awards and Goyas 2003 to ¨Caballero Don Quijote¨ , among others .