El niño de barro

"El Niño de Barro" (a.k.a. "The Mudboy") is based on a sinister true story. It takes place in the dark year 1912. It's set in one of the poorest and most pauperized suburbs of Buenos Aires. The plot revolves around a sadist serial killer who exclusively targets innocent and defenseless little children. Wow... how depressing can the description of a film possibly be?

Life isn't kind to young Mateo. He lives alone with his mother, in poverty, and then his (sort of) stepfather Octavio - a local policeman - still thinks he's spoiled and lazy. Mateo suffers from grim nightmares and hallucinations in which he sees children from his neighborhood getting murdered and their dead bodies put on display on a creepy carrousel. When children then also do turn up murdered in the area, Mateo becomes a suspect to the police and a subject of hatred among the villagers.

This is normally my favorite type of horror/thriller concept; - grim and disturbing serial killer stories that are so unbelievable they must be true. The script, inspired by the bizarre case of Cayetano Santos Godino, is compelling and astounding for sure, but for some reason writer/director Jorge Algora only managed to make a mediocre movie out of it. "El Niño de Barro" starts off frustratingly slow, and sadly remains slow-paced until far over halfway. Even though the story clearly wants us to sympathize with Mateo and his mother Estela, I didn't feel much empathy for them. In fact, none of the characters are memorable or even surpass the level of being one-dimensional, and that includes the supposedly good-hearted cop Petrie or police psychologist Dr. Soria. The performances are weak, and the recreation of early 20th century Buenos Aires also doesn't leave much of an impression.

When it's already far too late, "El Niño de Barro" does turn into a nail-bitingly tense thriller and a harrowing drama. The last 10-15 minutes are very powerful, and especially the bleak climax is likely to haunt your thoughts for a long time. The recurring images of the merry-go-round with children's corpses is also authentically creepy, so thanks to that the film still ends up with a 5/10.

This film tells the story of a series of murders based on the real case of "el Petiso Orejudo" in Argentina in the early part of the 20th century. It's filmed from the point of view of another child, who has the visions of the murders. Or is he the real killer? Maribel Verdu is understated in her portrayal of a poor woman in a chauvinistic society trying to cope with a jealous lover and son who's claims are suspicious to say the least. Abel Ayala is excellent in his role as a pathetic kid born into misery and poverty.

On the whole a fine film, good actors and an interesting story, well directed make for a good watch as the story develops to it's tragic end.

Argentina , Spain Production inspired by actual deeds , dealing with a series of cruel kiddies killings spreading throughout 1912 Buenos Aires . It stars a 10-year-old little boy called Mateo who has murder visions , as his mind takes him eerie records and becomes the main witness to the grisly killings ; he is well cared by his mummy Stella : Maribel Verdu .Meanwhile , his mother tries to demonstrate his innocence , and the Police Inspector , Commissario Petrie : Daniel Freire and the skeptic forensic Doctor Soria : Chete Lera attempt to hunt down the series killer who is executing a criminal spree and hopefully find out clear explanations about the supernatural conduct of the weird little boy .

Acceptable suspense movie with an interesting script based on actual events and about "Murder Visions" , a common issue treated on Hollywood pictures . At the end takes place a surprising and violent climax in which Mateo's secret is unrevealed , then the people go bersek and the total chaos taking over the streets with unexpected and tragic consequences . It stars Maribel Verdu who gives a good acting as the suffering mother who attempts to defend his son Mateo , Juan Ciancio , as the boy who hides a dark secret and turns as a witness for prosecution, as well as the prime suspect . And awesome performance by Daniel Freire as persistent investigator and Chete Lera as stubborn doctor .

Well produced by Carlos Fernandez and Julio Fernandez from Filmax and Castelao Films . They have financed a lot of successes of all kinds of genres , such as Terror : Rec saga , Mientras duermes , Retornados , La posesion Emma Evans , Paintball , El monstruo del pozo , Quarantine , Los sin nombre ; Cartoon and kiddies films : Copito de Nieve , El Cid , Donkey Xote , Manolito Gafotas , Mola ser Jefe , Perez ratoncito de sueños , Los Dalton contra Lucky Luke and Dramas/Thrillers as Cobardes , Transsiberian , Machinist , Transssiberian , Bullying , 13 Campanadas , Muertos comunes , Morir en San Hilario, Tierra de Fuego , Sexo por compasion, Fotos , Heroes sin patria , among others . The motion picture was well directed by Jorge Algora , a good filmmaker who has made a few films .As he directed Inevitable 2013 , Mintiendo la vida , and and some documentary as Camino de Santiago , Emigrantes and Tierra de naufragios. This "Mudboy" won several prizes , such as : Silver Condor : best costume design , Best art direction; Goya nominated best original song ; Mestre Mateo winner : Best actor Chete Lera , best music , and best screenplay.

An eight year old Argentinian shook his country in 1904 after trying to murder a 21 month old out of pure cruelty. He would eventually murder four other children after trying to kill seven more. This movie is his story, a story of marginalization, abject poverty, abuse, diseases and neglect about a retarded boy who was systematically abused by the society he lived in and who lost any capacity to feel or judge his own acts. Still, the director chose a different viewpoint to tell his story, by telling about one of his victims, another boy, who feels a special domination link to his attacker.

OK, this is the summary. Now, can anybody tell me how can it have a 5.3 and several votes, from 1! to 10!, if it has not been released by now (May 20th 2007)??? Let's be serious, if we intend to keep this forum as a guide for other moviegoers...