Satanás

I saw the movie yesterday, and I was amused. Not only for the theme the movie talks about, but because in many technical aspects, is a very well done movie. Although it fails in some photographic issues ( blurs en wide shots, close ups, etc), it is pretty descent. The sound design is very well achieved. In a thematic point of view, I agree with the user that commented before me, it's a universal theme, it could happen in any place of the world. It is not only meant to be referred as a Colombian reality issue. Loneliness, evil, lust, revenge, hatred, are human emotions or feelings, that doesn't have boundaries, humans feel them. In a way, some Colombian audience may find this movie "anti-colombiana", because most of the Colombian people are used to watch shallow Colombian movies, and when reality in a way hits them, they cannot stand it and that's why movies like this one, are criticized. When a movie evokes emotions, passions and most of all, reflection, is a movie that is to be seen. Personally this movie evoked all of these in me. It's a movie to be watched.

I just saw the world premier last night at the Miami International Film Festival with my wife. From the opening scene, I had the feeling that things were only going to get worse. This is the story of several people in Bogota, Columbia, set in the mid-1980's. It follows each of them into what I can only describe as a descent into hell, climaxing in a convergence of their worlds with an ending that will stay with viewer for a long time.

This film has a sense of realism that reminds me of other films such as Amores Perros and City of God (Cidade de Deus). There are some very graphic scenes of violence and there may be some who are offended, as it decidedly breaks many taboos. The name is Satanás, meaning Satan, so do not delude yourself into thinking there are any high or happy moments. The tagline reads 'Every city has its demons'; believe it.

In spite of it's dark subject matter, the film is still very effective. There are some weaknesses, mostly from a technical standpoint, but the story is strong enough to make up for these. The other weakness is that the film rambles on for a while, so the viewer is not quite sure where the story is going, or even if it is going to end abruptly. But the director and writer had a purpose, and that is to bring us to the end. The climax brings everything into strong focus, and you see that the rambling is, in effect, the build-up.

I believe this film has universal appeal. This film could have been shot in any major city in the world. In fact, the director did such a good job in filming this, that I forgot where the movie was taking place. I gave it the highest vote in the audience award, and this film deserves to win it.

Why I say this film could be better??? Well... it's based on a book: "Satanas" by Mario Mendoza... but the book it's based in one of the worst spree killing ever. Before Columbine, in 1987 there was a man called Campoelías Delgado who entered in a restaurant and kill the customers at the tables. The man was a former soldier in the Korea War, mentally ill and a tickin' bomb. Before kill the people in that restaurant, he burned his mother and shoot the neighbors in the building he lived... nobody knows if he kills himself with a shot in the head or died in the crossfire with the police... but it's a raw good story for a movie. But, I don't know... I haven't read the book, but the movie focuses in other minor characters whom don't worth it. The plot is in the head of Eliseo (played by the great actor Damian Alcazar, who is the only Mexican actor who can talk without that ugly accent)and his madness... I don't care about an illegitimate relationship between a priest and his fellow parishioner girl or the vengeance for a rape. It would be more like it if the movie could show HOW and WHY Eliseo hit the rock bottom.

To start off with, this movie isn't for the faint of heart. This is a raw portrayal in what society has become. How some of us can be put on the outer, how we feel like we don't fit in, and what someone will do once all the frustration has come to boiling point.

This is a very scary film. Its from the perspective of three characters, whose stories ultimately intertwine in a very tragic finale. A War veteran English teacher who lives with his mother and feels like he has no purpose. A young female who works for a syndicate who specialize in robbing men at nightclubs, and a priest who is disillusioned with the life he has chosen.

None of these stories are feel good, but feel to have much more of a purpose than simply depressing the audience. Brilliant performances from the actors allow the viewer to invest time in their dilemmas, that most can relate to.

The inevitable time bomb is what makes you feel that the whole experience is tragic, but a message that can't be ignored, especially in a world where these sorts of tragedies happen far too often!

Brilliant cinema that everyone should check out!

I did not know anything about this movie or the book it was based on until today. My brother's former wife emailed me that me she saw a powerful Colombian movie about a ex-Vietnam vet who goes on a killing spree. Not until the end of the movie did she realize what she was watching was the murder of my cousin Roberto Montes and his girlfriend. Of course she was completely rattled.

Roberto was a wonderful young man and adored by his family. Especially since he was the only boy in the family of three sisters. He had just finished graduate school and had dreams of embarking on his career and I imagine marrying the woman he loved. Tragically the night they were killed they were celebrating their birthday which they shared.

It was a truly horrifying time and I am not sure if I will ever see the movie. We glorify the killers and forget the victims.

Lisa Ackel Judge