This film is one of the first Argentinian horror films, and was the highest grossing film in the history of Argentina, up until El Secreto De Sus Ojos was released in 2009.
It was directed by cultural icon Leonardo Favio, and was the break out role for television actor Juan José Camero, who plays Nazareno Cruz- the seventh son of a family living in Argentina.
The story is based on the Guaraní myth of the Lobison- a werewolf-like creature, from South America, that lurks within the mind and body of the accursed seventh son.
By the time he reaches adolescence...Nazareno is already the most popular boy in his village.
And he has fallen in love with the most beautiful girl in town.
As the story goes, though, the seventh son is always born with a curse...the curse of the werewolf...which will see him transform into a wolf, upon the rising of the full moon...so that he can feast on human blood.
However, this metamorphosis is not initiated until he finds true love.
So, now that he has found the love of his life, he is approached by the Devil...who gives him an ultimatum: choose love or give it up in exchange for a vast amount of wealth, power, and influence.
Nazareno chooses love over riches.
But...he probably should have realized that any deal with the Devil is libel to be a ruse.
Because things don't pan out like he expects them too.
The girls father finds him fooling around with his daughter, and- feeling he has tainted her innocence and purity- decides to punish Nazareno for his lustful transgressions.
Fortunately for Nazareno, this incident just so happens to coincide with the rise of the full moon...and so he transforms into a wolf.
This isn't some epic special effects transformation, or anything, though...it's basically the actor falling down on all fours, before they cut to a shot of a real wolf...which is subsequently subject to a series of actual dogfights in the film.
Which, I'm not going to lie...is a bit anti-climactic, for a film that is otherwise a beautifully shot, mildly arthouse offering.
The whole thing is effectively a tragic love story.
One that combines elements of Beauty & The Beast with Romeo & Juliet and a traditional indigenous werewolf tale.
But it might not be for everyone...because it's a bit slow paced, and arthousey.
The best part of this film is definitely it's cinematography and framing...which is really quite beautifully done.
The only thing is, there just isn't enough special effects- or arthouse complexity- to make it stand out from the rest of the crowd, and keep you fully engaged.
But it's not a bad film, by any means.
Where the execution might be lacking a bit, the story gives it a solid base...and the end result is certainly palatable.
Those expecting an action packed werewolf slaughterfest are sure to leave disappointed.
Whereas, those open to a more contemplative arthouse style might appreciate the picture a little more.
Aforementioned considerations aside, once the story has played itself out...it's kind of a middle of the road werewolf tale...which could be taken as a hit or miss, depending on what you personally appreciate and go in expecting.
I enjoyed it...but don't go in expecting to get blown away, or anything.
Because it's just not that type of film.
6 out of 10.
