Abel - Il figlio del vento

There are quite a few kid/animal stories out there; what sets this one apart is the incredibly good cinematography. We're not talking wolves, dogs or whatever here, we're talking golden eagles and they're not easy to film - so what we DO see on screen here is absolutely stunning (and I'm a fan of nature docs). They even managed to mount miniaturised HD cameras on an eagle to capture some flight imagery ... there are some truly memorable scenes in this movie, among them a very intense, drawn-out scene where the young eagle tries his talons at a mountain-goat maybe one or two sizes too big for him. The winter scenes are haunting in their intensity, too.

But the movie as a whole gets only 7/10 from me - they tried to pep up the images with a story about a boy helping the young eagle to survive. Now I don't think the idea absurd - in fact a simple framing story might be a nice idea - but they put too much weigth on this story. The emotional struggles between father and son simply don't stand a chance against the for-life struggle of the animals, and so every scene we spend with the humans is - in my opinion - a scene wasted. No fault with the actors, btw - experienced acting as expected by veterans Moretti and Reno, and the boy was good, too - but it's not their movie. It's the eagle's.

I have seen quite a few films dealing with the interaction between wildlife and man in the natural environment, and then I am not talking about wildlife documentaries, which seem to get better and better as new photographic techniques are developed. The classic 'Born Free' of 1966, and another film with African background, 'Duma' of 2005 come to mind. And then there is the excellent 'Entrelobos' ('Among Wolves') of 2011. Last night I watched another film in this genre, 'Wie Brüder im Wind' ('Brothers of the Wind'), and found that it compares well with others in this genre.

High in the spectacular Hohe Tauern part of the Austrian Alps, we see how a pair of golden eagles rears two chicks on a narrow rocky ledge, and as is typical with large birds of prey, the stronger of the two chicks forces the weaker one from the nest. The chance that the weaker chick would survive is rather slim, but it is in luck. Fortunately it has not fallen to its death; vegetation cushioned its fall and the bird landed safely on the ground at the foot of the cliff below the nest. Furthermore, shortly thereafter a boy, Lukas, (Manuel Camacho) finds the young bird before predators could get hold of it, and decides to rear it.

Through the narrator, a forester called Danzer (Jean Reno), we get to know Lukas, who lives high in the mountains with his father (Tobias Moretti). Quite early on it becomes clear that the relationship between Lukas and his father is strained; the lad does not speak to his dad, and more often than not hides away in a derelict house, where he lives in his own world. A sympathetic Danzer decides to help the boy and gives advice on how to rear the young raptor.

Can you build a film on such a slim narrative with only three main human characters? Well, after watching the movie, it is clear that you can successfully do so. The main emphasis of the film is on the life of the golden eagle, who against the odds and setbacks survives and grows into adulthood. The growing up of the eagle becomes a metaphor of the coming of age of Lukas, who also has obstacles to overcome.

The strong point of this film is without doubt the astonishing cinematography. The wildlife photography, particularly the action shots and the lingering landscape footage are literally breathtaking. The soundtrack is great too. The actors all do a fine job. Special mention must be made of Manuel Camacho, who seems to have a knack for excelling in wildlife films. He was justly nominated for a Goya Award, and won the Spanish Actors Newcomer Award for his acting in 'Entrelobos'.

I score this lovely film a high 8/10.

This Austria/Spain co-production film is set in the Sixties, Austrian Alps, a marvelous place to dream, dealing with the unusual bond between a teen and an eagle since it was a chick . At the mountains lives Lukas : Manuel Camacho, who is mistreated by his father : Tobias Moretti, but he has a strong relationship with a forester, the great and popular actor Jean Reno. In a world where it takes courage to fly, an aegle is thrown the nest out by its oldest brother, called Cain, falling on the ground. One day, Lukas meets the wounded eagle and heals it. As Lukas nurtures the baby eagle, - that he names Abel- from childhood to adulthood and both have an emotional connection . As days go by, he realizes about the eagle wants to fly on its own. Both of them bond about their desires to be free. Along the way Lukas learns about nature.

This is a charming film containing adventure, emotion, sense of wonder, great sensibility and wonderful outdoors. A provoking and interesting movie, it is both, semi-documentary and drama, including colourful, beautiful, glimmer scenarios . There is an enjoyable portrayal of a young boy intenting to make his own way and only accompanied by an eagle in wilderness. Furthermore, it provides an intense and thunderous drama between a daddy and his son, but at the end both of whom learn about the mutual feeling and pardon . Narrated by Jean Reno who also plays a Forest Ranger, the film has an exceptional camerawork, 17 real eagles were used, and utilizing a titanium camera over an eagle that has been subsequently copied by other photographers . Being a hard and very complicated shooting for 4 years in the Dolomits mountains and other locations. The short cast, Manuel Campuzano, Tobias Moretti , Jean Reno, keep the movie interesting and attractive. Children especially and adults can learn lessons of ecology , wildlife, self-reliance, freedom and interdependence from the movie. In addition, to enjoy drama, adventure, emotion and overwhelming outdoors.

It displays a phantastic and gorgeous cinematography by Oscar Duran and Otmar Penker. Shot on location in Dolomitas Alps, Austrian Tirol, National Park Hohe Tauern, Corinthia, Austria, Tirol, Italy, Passo di Falzarego, Belluto, Beneto, Italy. As well as a sensitive and rousing musical score from Rebecca Ferguson, Jared Rogers , Kingdom Creators and Sarah Class. The motion picture was well directed by Otmar Penker and Gerardo Olivares . It was winner Austria Romy Gala Award to best cinematography : Otmar Penker and Oscar Duran. Otmar Penker is a good Austrian documentalist who also produced and wrote the superflous script based on an original idea by Gerald Salmina. While Gerardo Olivares is an excellent filmmaker who has collaborated with TVE, National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Since 2006 Olivares changes documentaries for fiction movies and he will be well known for La gran Final 2006, 14 kilometros 2007 , Entre Lobos 2010 starred by Manuel Camacho , The Lighthouse of the whales 2015 and 4 Latas 2017 performed by Jean Reno. In his life he has been in more than 100 countries and shot over than 80 documentaries. All this has been collected in his documentaries sold all over the world for the most important television channels. The picture will appeal to lovers of nature and animals . Well worth watching for its ecological message and msrvellous wildlife.

This movie should be shown to every learner of movie making just for its brilliant camera use. This is a slow paced, documentary styled movie about the bonding between a young boy and an eagle. Simultaneously it tells other stories, too. However, from cinematic point of view, this is not a great movie and it does not even intend to do so. Its rather a sincere tale of human-wildlife bonding with a strong message in the end. The use of camera as I have already mentioned is breathtaking. The wide angle shots at the Alps are mesmerizing. Overall a nice movie to enjoy with your kids. Such movies normally become emotional tearjerkers which this one cleverly avoids. Overall a sincere movie deserving 75% marks. I

A beautiful coming of age nature film. The cinematography is superb, as is the acting.Take a few hours out of your day and emmerse yourself in this wonderous film.