No somos nadie

Outlandish and ironical film about a false preacher who sees appearances and becomes himself a fake prophet . Two Spanish beggars , humble Salva (Jordi Molla) and roguish Angel (Juan Carlos Vellido) are drifting across the streets of a big city that suffers a rampant poverty . Soon find themselves an amazing occasion in over their heads when Salva falls under the influence of fancies that he has had a religious vision . Along the way , Salva joins TV anchorman and signs a contract in a popular reality television show with high shares that lets the audience decide between life or death for suspected felons . As Salva transforms himself into a prophet-like figure called ¨Salvador¨ or saviour who is an instant hit smash in the public . Through this raucous and shock TV program , titled ¨Mano Dura or Hard Hand¨ , Salva turns a phony evangelist with the gift of gab who along with Bigardo (Daniel Jimenez Cacho) exploit the faithful with his fire-and-brimstone sermons . The merciless news media force-feeds these astonishing images of relentless faith and religious obsession to the Spanish people . At the television program takes place a sensational show that spreads on people and perhaps the entire planet . As the ¨Saviour¨ become a mass phenomenon , as his words aroused the passions of the crowd and he often uses popular slogans : ¨God is on air¨ or ¨No Somos Nadie¨.

This ironic as well as weird film regarding two opportunistic pan-handlers who attempt to escape poverty and join an ambitious TV presenter , as they attempt to make a fortune out of the naive audience . The story is set in a nearly future world , in which people appear to suffer from violence and spiritual desperation . This is a hilarious hallucinogenic comedy/drama , with plenty of parody , disturbing images , surrealist events , rapid shots , spoof and gross-out but also with some brief moments being bold and fun . The bizarre ironies here are funny , sad and sometimes shocking . This is a comical and sometimes embarrassing account of a series of "sightings" from the personal, social , cultural , religious and economic perspective . This interesting film packs colorful as well as dark images , strange situations , swift frames , twists and turns ; but it also contains some touches of humor , irony and social critique against ¨Reality Shows¨. The twisted story is carried out in similar style to other films realized by offbeat director Alex De La Iglesia . The picture deals with religious appearances and fake prophets , a sub-genre about ¨new messiahs¨ or ¨false preachers¨ , theme usual in Spanish cinema such as the vintage ¨El Jueves Milagro¨ by Luis Garcia Berlanga , and recently ¨Visionarios¨(2001) by Manuel Gutiérrez Aragon , ¨Año Mariano¨ by Karra Elejalde and Fernando Guillen Cuervo and ¨Red lights¨ by Rodrigo Cortes . And not forget the American classics as ¨Elmer Gantry¨ by Richard Brooks and ¨The rainmaker¨ by Joseph Anthony . Spain , which was vulnerable to these types of worshipping , has seen its share of the offbeat , which is what the filmmaker felt is an assault on the viewing public and wanted to set his flick from the point of view of the two rogues and the people that are . The characters are all odd , grotesque and weird and the film races on at incredible speed . Anti-religious humor turns out to be sometimes cheesy and gross-out with numerous naughty and picaresque situations such as ridiculous jokes , bad taste , blasphemy and adult scenes . However , it also provides uneven comedy , eccentric humor , profanity and grossed issues . It's possible that Christians or other religious people pick this up because the yarn has a ¨Jesús Christ¨-alike in it, but that shows what the writers and filmmakers were attempting to do is to teach a possibility to people who maybe never saw the world like this, especially in the modern world where Christianity has been more and more accepted and sometimes forgotten .

Vibrant acting by Jordi Molla as a pan-handler who stumbles upon an opportunity to redeem himself . Jordi gives one of his most memorable acting in this release . The ensemble cast has some nice moments in the film such as Daniel Jimenez Cacho as mean TV commentator , Candela Peña as his wife , Florinda Chico as mom , Álex Angulo , Eduardo Antuña , Silvia Casanova , and Enrique Villén as a stuttering barman . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Nestor Calvo (Atomica , Lobo , Nos Miran , Lobos De Washington , The ugliest woman in the world , Años Barbaros , Miguel and William) , showing splendidly a future though nearby Spanish world . This evocative photography was well made by a good expert and deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameramen . As the cinematography is dark as well as brilliant . Adequate and atmospheric musical score by Roque Baños (Cell 211 , Fragiles, Machinist, Sexy beast, 800 bullets) , adding opera songs . Jordi Molla stars , produces , directs this "God Is on Air" and he carries out an acceptable but strange film . Rating : 5.5 , passable . The flick will appeal to Jordi Molla fans .

The only explanation I can muster as to why this film isn't widely distributed is because it hits too close to home for some. This movie was a genuine happy surprise, the satire is genius. This film turns the lights on in the dark that is organized religion and big media, and the roaches scurry for cover. Rent the DVD and watch it for yourself if you haven't yet, this film succeeds where many have failed (Dogma comes to mind) to poke it's nose under the tent, both by using humor and very clever analogies coupled with telling backdrops and locations. Can't comment in depth without revealing some significant spoilers, there are some surprises in this film which even the seasoned film buff will be caught off guard by.

A surprising rent at a local video store, I was pleased to find a media satire worthy enough to challenge Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers." And almost as disturbing. I think it went well with my viewing to be in late 2004 watching the Republican Machine do it's magic on the majority of America's television viewing populous. It brings up the question "Are we really that manipulative?"

It definitely skewed my view. There was also a larger theological question being provoked- the story of Christ. Could word of mouth and overwhelming dependence on something exploitive as television produce a messiah? Could the story of Christ been exaggerated? Could it have been completely fabricated? It's something the movie puts in a extremely perceptive light.

Sometimes films can really surprise us. I didn't know this movie was going to affect me so much. But it did. Times have changed (a little) but enough so that the media now doesn't need lots of big drama to make people watch TV. it seems many got used to it and now little things become so important and get such high scores in TV rankings.

BUT, here I will speak about this movie... First the way it is filmed. Some parts are real funny. Others very dramatic. The way it appears to the eye, with romantic hints, horrifying quick images, the TV chain that seems the Vatican, the beautiful scenery and the dark passages. It all shows the inner side of the human being. Jordi Mollà stars and directs this story that we have seen many times on TV. But what happens in the inside of honest people? The story reminds me of what some important artist can live and his or her struggles, the way the big companies treat big stars and the way they treat people whom they made stars born in the mud. Even how the big companies manipulate the people to show them that a simple person can be The Saviour.

And sometimes, the simplest person is the honest one, who would like to give something honest and sincere to the world. But... big companies want their say, not his.

I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to know some hidden truths.

A wonderful surprise of the Spanish cinema. I never thought Jordi Molla could be such a great director, after all, I really don't care much for his choice in movies. However this film was absolutely fantastic and not predictable at all... something I ALWAYS enjoy! It hasn't enjoyed much good press and I really don't think it'll ever be released in the US market. We'll have to content ourselves with the DVD or VHS if even that... I don't want to say much about the story because I don't want to spoil it for you but basically the movie is about a homeless drunk who becomes the new messiah just for kicks and to get some money out of it (like sooooooooooo many), before he knows it he is immerse in a life he was not counting on.