Zurdo

For me, "Zurdo" is a kind of a film-a-clef, not because it disguises real events, but rather because I was confused all throughout the first half of the film until I came upon an interpretational key that put everything in perspective. The key is as follows: "Zurdo" is essentially about two years worth of weekly Mexican futuristic soap opera, compacted into feature-length format. The plot and the setting are nominally fantastic, but this structure is entirely filled with classical soap opera content.

The beauty of this setup has dawned on me only towards the end of the film. Every soap-opera-tearjerking-scene, every sob, every cliché have been compacted at a ratio of about 5:1. There are no pauses between the closely intercut scenes, sometimes the viewer is rushed between three different locations within a minute. The effect is that every scene, gesture and word become a reference to themselves. What allows the director to do this is that the elements soap opera are immediately recognizable; no time need be spent on the development.

If not only a post-modernist treatment of the soap opera genre, it might well be that "Zurdo" is the high-bandwidth soap opera of the future.

This is a movie about a skilful boy who´s a special gift to play marbles. He´s a talented and well known child in his home town who´s challenged to compete against the big adult champ from a near by village.

This is one of the few Mexican movies with no sex scenes and very few foul language. Highly recommended to be enjoyed with the family and to remember this almost-forgotten but delicious old-fashioned game.

A very original concept, backed up with some good acting, and a great/modern score by Paul van Dyk. The Mexican roots of the movie add the special thing about it. With some Japanese influences, the fictional world is filled with Latin/Mexican influences, from the colors and everyday life situations, to the plot in which the movie is based (corruption, role of a child in Mexican/Latin society, gambling, etc...). Sad about it, its that the movie barely gained recognition, not even in its own market, and I wonder if it even came out of Mexico. Great movie, since it comes from such a simple idea with an uncanny result.

This is the worst movie i have ever seen. Since I'm Mexican i know much of the actors and they are talentless, underachieved, lame, performers.

The music is also a sad intent of what the director thinks futuristic music will be, Paul Van Dyk has probably never seen this movie and if he did he would probably be ashamed.

Its like a third world Mad Max meets a cheap Mexican version of star wars.

Its a low budget futuristic film, and all the good comments about this film were probably written down by members of the crew.

I suggest this movie gets submitted for the bottom hundred, so if someone wants a bad movie they wont be disappointed.

this movie was better than i expected. very very moving and original. this is the type of movie that can make Spanish, Latinos, and Mexicans proud. I'm showing this movie to everyone i know and i highly recommend it. The visual and audio aspects of the movie were very well done. the only thing i did not like was the techno music they would occasionally play, but that's a small issue that doesn't matter. Whoever the director is, you can be sure that i will follow their career and movies he or she makes in the future. Please, if you see it, rent it or buy it. Another Hispanic/Mexican/Spanish movie i would recommend is "killing words", that is also a great movie.