Sob a Pele do Lobo

This is a contemplative but powerful drama with scarce dialogue and where the movie relies on the absolute amazing photography and great acting of Mario Casas and Irene Escolar. It's a story about loneliness, hardship and survival in the rural northern country side of Spain in late 19th century that depicts the relationship between a trapper and his young wife. The lack of dialogue creates an atmosphere that is contagious and transfers the emotional state of the characters to the perfection. Extermely well done, Bravo!

It is the lead trait defining it. but not only. maybe, not the most significant. bitter and strange and useful and a poem -like. a film about loneliness in its most profound sense. the silence, the music, the photography, the landscapes, the close -up. each defining a profound special film. short, a film out of any description or definition. reflection of a state of soul. simple. and cold. perfect in each detail. a useful film. about a world from XIX century. but, in fact, a question about yourself. is it a masterpiece ? surrely, it is more.

If you're looking for an action packed film with a happy ending this movie is not for you. It has a slow pace with very little dialogue. To really appreciate this film you have to be willing to slow down and watch carefully. Many reviews have made the main character, Martinon out to be a villain, uncaring and a beast of a man without a compassionate bone in his body. He is direct and needs a lesson in table manners and general social skills but underneath all that, if you take the time to really watch and understand this man and his experiences, it's evident that he can be gentle and kind and capable of great love if anyone had given him a chance. I don't write reviews very often but I felt strongly enough about this one that I just couldn't help myself.

It is not accurate to call the main character a brute. Acts of tenderness: He spares the wolf who sneaks up on him to tell him that something is wrong at home. He caresses a small goat. He nurses his wife back to health. He helps his wife carry her bag up the mountain. He prepares breakfast for his wife when he learns that she is pregnant. He builds, not one but, two cribs. There are many more examples!

Portrait of harsh and lonely existence of spanish hill farmer.