El niño de la luna

Fantastic movie, in all meanings of the term, where a child with occult powers is compelled to accomplish a mission which will bring him to the heart of Africa. This movie has many strengths, in particular the beauty of its cinematography with beautiful shots, which come back to your mind long after you've seen the film, very good acting from child actor E. Saldana, and a smart plot where rational explanations can be found to supernatural developments (a bit as H. James' Turn of the screw).

The other reviews, wide ranging as they are, give you broad view of nebulous movie. I have wide range of interests; this movie embraces none. This just a summary review. And to let you know Award Films International, of Hollywood address, has online availability of movie in DVD- R. Or, if site is down, call (818) 442 9111. AFI also sells as COA Movies on Amazon.com, presently at a better price. DVD has some still photos beyond the usual trailer, for extras. I wish I could return it, a first. Main character seems to run in place the entire movie, never really arriving. When he does reach new location, it moves so very slowly. This like a dream repeating, never satisfying. Children would not enjoy. If you have specific aim in watching, go for it. if you are taking a chance, I recommend declining. This unless you have inordinate curiosity. It's not a bad view, it's a near-OK indie, artsy, semi-intellectual, esoteric. These non-tangibles are compelling when combined with ample roots. Thousands of movies out there with more to offer. Tough to compare, try Duma meets Sixth Sense, à la mid-budget & indie Espagnol! English subtitles.

Beautifully shot film with one of the greatest soundtracks of the last ten years, composed by the mysterious Dead Can Dance. It's a pity they explicitly decided never to publish the soundtrack on CD. Also Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance plays one of the main roles in the movie.

This is a magical story of an orphan confined in a claustrophobic, orwellian institution, somewhere in post-WWII Europe (it's never specified where). There they keep children from all over the world that show some form of telepathic skill to experiment with those powers. Our main character starts to discover, somehow, that he has a mission, that he's the carrier of a strange message…

Surrealistic, strange, "lynchian" at times, the movie flows at ease and keeps you on your toes from beginning to end. Stylish cinematography by Jaime Peracaula, solid screenplay and direction by the enigmatic Villaronga, and -once again- a soundtrack that would charm any fan of Dead Can Dance.

Highly recommendable if you have a chance to see it, specially since it was never published to video and there are no plans to ever release it in such format.

One of the strangest movies ever made in Spain.

It deals with a child named David (Enrique Saldana) who is adopted by an ominous , treacherous sect led by a stiff-upper-lip ruler (Lucia Bose) and an understanding woman called Victoria (Maribel Martin) . But David along with a young called Edgar (David Sust) and a pregnant girl called Victoria (Lisa Gerrard) escape from the terrible fascist and Nazi-alike center towards Africa where David's fate awaits him . As David who possesses extrasensory perception undergoes an adventurous voyage throughout Africa and to resolve his fate as Child Of The Moon . But David and Victoria are mercilessly chased by the heinous organization .

This is an eerie film with fantastic events , mystery , suspense , adventures and results to be pretty interesting . Being well produced by the marriage Maribel Martin and the early deceased Julian Mateos , both of them produced three thought-provoking films : Los Santos Inocentes , Viaje a Ninguna Parte and this El Niño De La Luna . Interpretations by the enjoyable main cast are frankly well . Adequate support cast such as Lucia Bose , Mary Carrillo , a brief acting by a young Luis Homar , Jordi Bosch , uncredited Pep Tosar and Gunter Meisner who starred Agusti Villaronga's previous film : Tras El Cristal .

Colorful and brilliant cinematography by the veteran photographer Jaume Peracaula. Jaume is considered to be one of the best Spanish cameramen who has photographed a lot of successes such as : Inconscientes , La Hora De Los Valientes , Despues Del Sueño , Blanca Paloma , La Cripta , among others . Mysterious and New Age musical score by Dead Can dance (band led by Lisa Gerrard). Lisa Gerrard , subsequently became a famous soundtrack composer with hits as Gladiator , Ali , Man on fire , Heat and Priest . The motion picture was well directed by Agusti Villaronga , though it has some flaws , gaps and turns out to be overlong . Agusti is a good filmmaker , and Goya winner . As ¨Niño De La Luna¨ won Goyas for screenplay , costume design and make-up . Villaronga is expert on films plenty of dark and weird atmospheres such as : El Mar , 99.9 , Aro Tolbukhin , Tras El Cristal , and his most successful film was ¨Pan Negro¨ that also won several Goya Awards

Villaronga's next movie after the magnificent IN A GLASS CAGE feels undercooked. There is a premise and there is a central character, but aspects of this "fantasy" are muddled.

The plot involves a wise child (Enrique Saldana), identified as possessing special powers, taking part in a pilgrimage that takes him to Africa -- it's a KUNDUN-esqe journey that hints at a religious, faith-based revelation that never materializes. The reason for there being "interest" in the child, from some quarters, is never fully explained, summing up the film's major problem: Too much is left up to the audience to decipher.

This being a Villaronga film, much of the imagery is commanding and the performances are strong, but the structure is weak.

A curious casting choice is Australian-born composer Lisa Gerrard (whose credits include co-writing GLADIATOR with Hans Zimmer and scoring Michael Mann's THE INSIDER) as a strange woman who has a spiritual connection to the boy "savior".

Not recommended and not widely available.