Condotta

A quite interesting and satisfying movie though, for me, less so than BUQUENQUE but more so than PABLO (for those of you who follow recent Cuban productions). CONDUCTA shows the harsh side of Cuban life in various ways and demonstrates attitudinal differences very reflective of Cuban society in 2014. Wonderful acting by the young cast. Music use seems like a last-minute and cheap addition to the movie, which deserves an original score that would in fact be quite achievable in Cuba. The movie has theatrical release in Cuba, which demonstrates the liberal approach Cuba has taken to providing public funding for films that are constructively critical of Cuban society.

I always really liked kids like Chala.. Yes, he is not behaving they way boring adults would like to see him... But after all he is not really hurting anyone.. To me he is very kind, responsible, loving and grown-up person with strong morals.. Not only because my strong feeling and sympathy for the main character am I giving full 10 stars. The visual parts of the movie is also great. The plot may be sometimes little confusing, but the Spanish they speak is quiet understandable.. I new that Cuba makes really good movies (surprisingly cuban movie are usually not about politics at all) and Conducta is one of the really good ones!

Conducta - Behaviour This film starts with powerful images and the authentic energy of the young talent Armando playing Chata. This film is not just a actual insight view of the Cuban social reality and its change, this film is much more. This film is statement.

First it needs to be mentioned that the performance of the actors especially the play of the young actors is absolutely world class. Congratulations to the casting department.

The story, or better the multiple stories that are told during this 108 minutes fits. Every narrative makes sense. No minute is lost. Writing, acting, shooting, music - everything was created on a very high level.

But why is this film a statement.

This film offers for everyone and everywhere on this earth a lesson to learn. This lesson is created around Carmela, the teacher. It is a story of courage against cowardice. A story about real and authentic humanism against the brutality of indifference. The counterpart of the moving behavior of Carmela is played great by Silvia Águila in the character of the social worker Raquel.

This universal lesson is: It is easy to follow rules, laws and prejudices. Everywhere and in every social system we have those that hide themselves behind political correctness, adjusted unit and titles. In the name of nice labels as for example child care they bungle into the life of other humans. A bad but widespread behavior.

A great film. Highly recommended.

Going to a film which gets good remarks still happens to be ordinary or cute and boring. I was actually thinking about passing this. Thank God I didn't. Conducta (Behaviour) is a true gem on all accounts, and has been a monster hit in it's native country Cuba.

Aging teacher Carmela has an extra place in her heart for the kids coming from broken families and difficult family relations. 11 year old Chala is a troublemaker, and earn the money to keep his mother running on drugs and alcohol by training special pigeons and dogs for illegal dog fights.He is infatuating with class mate Yeni, which hasn't got the proper right to attend school, because her father is work-less and outside of his county. Carmela gets in trouble by her support for these two pupils, and the young headmaster wants her dismissed. It's also a love story, and a story about a teachers' importance.

This film is simply amazingly well made. Perfect photography, amazing acting in a perfect script. This could simply not be made better in any way! Young Chala is played so amazingly well by Armando Valdez Freire that it's almost unbelievable. The others are equaling the play. Such amazing instruction. So natural, so real, and upright charming.

The film in some way resembles Walter Salles amazing "Central do Brazil" (1998) and also to some extent "Dead Poets Society" (1989), but is even better.

I saw this film with English subtitles on the premiere night at the Films from the South Festival in Oslo in a packed theater giving standing ovations after screening.

Treat yourself to see this. In fact, go head over heels to see it. But remember to bring some napkins to stop the tears. What a gem! What a film!

What to criticize on such a film? Hm... I surrender!!!

This was the opening film at Sydney Latin American Film Festival (SLAFF) 2014. What one to choose! Amazingly well done. We may have seen the story done one way or another, but the situation this is set in overlays such complexities. Encompassing all the stories was all life, not aspects of it.

Also, the energy of the young lead actors was amazing. So strong. Boy/girl stuff far beyond the limited scope of typical films. These are tough people for ones so young. Totally impressive, let alone both so physically attractive for their ages, especially in the faces. So expressive!

Incredible work considering the subject matter.

So, we see it. What are we going to do about it? How do we return sovereignty to countries, and exchange such cultural diversities?

Thx, SLAFF, for presenting such an incredible film!