Obaba

Obaba is the film that was sent from Spain to the Academy for the foreign language film category. Considering its extraordinary theme with equally unique presentation, it's hard to imagine why it didn't get the Oscar nomination nod. The story tells us about Lurdes, a young filmmaker who travels to the village Obaba to shoot a documentary about its people. Some of the aged inhabitants recall their childhood experiences and these experiences are shown as separate short films. Lurdes tries to co-relate all their stories, in order to do which she slowly becomes a part of Obaba. The village is perhaps meant to be treated as a consciousness, as suggested by the director by his brilliant use of the myth of green lizards as a metaphor.

The film excludes all the typical and clichéd camera angles and shot sequences. For using visual themes, it does many brave experiments. Some of the acting performances are worth mentioning too, for example the actress who played the schoolteacher or the boy who played Esteban. To summarise, "Obaba" was indeed a very refreshing experience for us who often get tired by the same styles of Hollywood hits.

This set of several stories is well conveyed by use of flashbacks. Lourdes' pursuit of the villagers' stories for her film project sets up several different story lines with no small amount of intersection in this remote mountain village.

But there are no real surprises in these stories in that the use of "magical realism" is used inconsistently. Some stories are resolved logically and others remain unresolved by rational explanations. The film suffers a little in not making up its mind about whether to be magical or not.

It's still a good movie but not a great one. I think it would be worth picking up Axtaga's Obabakoak collection to get a fuller view of this (potentially) mysterious place.

Set in Obaba , where arrives a young filmmaker (Barbara Lennie) who efforts to capture the feel of the area , a mythical region in northern Spain, which in turn leads to a wealth of self-discovery . She is so interested in these local mysteries , as she interviews the aged inhabitants who recall their childhood , and youthful experiences happened long time ago and these experiences are shown as separate short films . All these tales exacerbate her ingenuity as well as imagination , and along the way she falls in love for a local young (Juan Diego Botto) . As she begins to investigate all the secrets of these mysterious people , of his family and their stories , but she finds dark trues .

Enjoyable and thought-provoking picture starred by two phenomenal actresses , Barbara Lennie and Pilar López de Ayala as a good-natured teacher . This slow-moving and intelligent picture is well set in Navarra , Spain , both nowadays and the 60s by means of flashbacks . Concerning a student who has come to tape the town for a school project , she is soon drawn to some of the stories of the residents, all of which are told in flashbacks. These stories help Lourdes to understand the little town , its people, and its secrets. Sensational film that dispenses a brooding plot and considered to be one of the best Spanish films of the2000s , in fact was voted one of the best pictures by professionals and critics . Sensitive film full of feeling , haunting mood-pieces , wonderful scenes , magic , fantasy and sense of wonder . Montxo Armendáriz, who wrote the screenplay and also shot , has put together a nice picture that mixes the past and the present. Colorful picture , including marvelous frames , being mostly filmed in various locations from Navarra , such as : Uztarroz, Isaba, Roncal, Ochagavia, Urrotz, Zizur Menor, Mutilva, Ekai de Lónguida, Liédana, and including evocative outdoor scenes , showing the incredible natural beauty of the landscapes . This extraordinary flick spells through intricate patterns of images , sets , sound and color . In addition , an excellent cast and support cast of known and prestigious players , such as Juan Diego Botto, Pilar López de Ayala , Eduard Fernández , Peter Lohmeyer, Héctor Colomé ,Txema Blasco, Mercedes Sampietro and Lluís Homar. . "Obaba" is one of Armendariz's undisputed masterpieces and fundamental in his filmography where shows efficiently an interesting story and shot at the height of his creativity , with some peculiar characters ,his style is pretty much dry in the atmosphere as in the fresh dialog , as well as realistic , and including pleasant elements . Splendid , luxurious photography with juicy atmosphere by Javier Aguirresarobe . Aguirresarobe subsequently would make a prestigious career in Hollywood such as ¨Fright night , ¨The twilight saga: eclipse¨, ¨The road¨ , ¨The others¨ and many others . Interesting screenplay by the same director based on a original novel by Bernardo Atxaga . Moving and emotive musical score by Xavier Capellas . This touching picture will appeal to Spanish films buffs ; being deservedly nominated for.

This motion picture rich in symbolism was perfectly produced by magnificent producers Karl Baumgartner, Michael Eckelt , Puy Oria and Montxo Armendáriz himself , being stunningly directed by Montxo Armendariz , a very good Spanish movies filmmaker . And won various Goya Awards 2006 such as : Winner Goya Best Sound Carlos Bonmatí Alfonso Pino , Goya Best Director Montxo Armendáriz , Best Production Manager Puy Oria , Best Production Design Julio Esteban , Julio Torrecilla , Best Adapted Screenplay Montxo Armendáriz , Best Supporting Actress Pilar López de Ayala and Premios ACE 2006 Winner Premio ACE Best Film , Cinema Best Actress Pilar López de Ayala and Terenci Moix International Award 2006 Winner Terenci Moix Award Best Film Montxo Armendáriz . Montxo is a well recognized director both nationally and internationally, and in proof of it he won many prizes in several Festivals . Montxo Armendáriz was born in Navarra, and his films are mostly set in this Spanish region . He is a nice writer and director, expert on dramas , being especially known for Tasio (1984) , 27 hours (1986) , Cartas a Alou (1990) , Secretos del Corazón (1997), Silencio roto or Broken silence (2001) , this Obaba (2005), and his last film : No Tengas Miedo (2011) . Rating : 7/10 . Worthwhile watching . The flick will appeal to Spanish cinema enthusiasts.

I found Obaba as the Montxo's best film. Atxaga's work is also visible. The way the director shows the misery of the rural life and the beauty and attraction of the rural environment is magnificent. I've seen almost all the Armendariz's films and I think Obaba is the (final?) good result of a "not so good" filmography. The camera man's work is very good, in the "filming scenes" specially. The best artist is Pilar Lopez Ayala - the teacher- which makes me believe in "the teacher" much more than the other artists. The worst Juan Diego Botto which, I found, doesn't have many registrations in his work as an actor. I've seen it not only in that film.... a pity...) A very international film... let's see in the Oscar.... A universal Basque film.

Wow, I'm kind of shocked to read so many negative reviews of this movie. Maybe you had to see it in Spain as I did or maybe you have to enjoy movies that make you think. This is not your generic Hollywood-I-understand-everything-within-ten-minutes type of movie. This is a movie that one has to think about and contemplate after it is done and it might take several days to come across what you think the movie was actually trying to say. That, in my opinion, is a sign of a good movie. Obaba is not an actual place, it is a state of mind. Once people understand that, they can see the movie for what it is: an intelligent, beautiful, and mysterious view of northern Spain.