wong kar lurko

Santiago García´s debut is an incredibly potent documentary film involving lesbians who live in Buenos Aires. But the film is much more than that: it quickly establishes a difference with the classic productions regarding segregated minorities. The women portrayed in the movie are, before anything, women. The director does not think them merely as lesbians and his interest goes beyond their sexual condition. He treats them as women with a particular sexual inclination. The film deals with society´s limitation to understand this sexual inclination, but it also dives into these women´s dreams, hopes, desires and obligations. If Mr. García decides to capture a scene from a feminine soccer match or the baking of an omelette is to retain the women in their day-to-day life, in their everyday struggles and not all their concerns involve lesbianism. Of course that gay demonstrations, political discussions and ideological differences are witnessed, but García´s search goes much further: behind every affirmation, behind every story, behind every comment about soccer, these lesbians are taking a stand, not only towards their sexual orientation, but towards life in a general way as well. I think this is the way in which we should analize the film and simply experience its unique simplicity to pass from a strongly emotional moment to an outstanding hilarious scene. Bravo for Mr. García.

I respect films that are not intended to be masterpieces. I consider pretentiousness to be the worst sin of all; but this is not the case. We face a small, charming film in which tiny stories are told about small town heroes. These stories are told in such a crafty, elaborate and detailed way that the audience gives in to emotion at once. The old man (Don Justo) giving a praise- worthy performance, the beautiful landscapes of the Patagonia, the slow paced life of people in these arid regions: they all sum up to render a lovely film concerning lovely people. There´s laughter and tears involved. Wim Wenders loved it, I loved it, maybe you should give it a chance. It will not change your life, but it will certainly make you feel warm,least for an hour and a half.

It has taken three years for Pablo Trapero to bring forward his second film, but it seems that time was not wasted. Much more refined and subtle than his first film ("Mundo Grúa" or crane world), he presents us the story of young, confused rural man who is forced to become a policeman after being involved in minor burglary. We witness his journey to Buenos Aires, his time as a trainee, his romance with an older teacher and his first encounters with the outlaws. The film does not aim at showing how the police force works but to tell the story of a man; we should not take the film as an intent to portray the corruption of policemen in Argentina or as criticism towards these men. I think the intention was to focus on Zapa´s story and take a look at policemen and at the social realities from his particular point of view. Performances are limited but correct, the images the movie produces are extraordinary and the "cumbia" music (a kind of salsa mixed with african percussion) generates a perfect ambience for the story told. I strongly recommend this film, perhaps one of the best argentine films of the last decade.