El Manzano Azul

EL MANZANO AZUL (Oligario Barrera, Venezuela -2012)

Olegario Barrero is an extremely sensitive director. With "Pequeña Revancha" one of his first features, he established himself as an astute and acute observer of people's actions and reactions in the midst a political environment...

This second feature, which concerns us, now, deals with a young man from the city, accustomed to be surrounded by cellular phones, games, TV and other pollution of the Social Network. The child is forcefully introduced to a "simpler", "down to Earth life" in the Páramo high mountains of the Venezuelan Andes. Although the rhythm of their lives seem to be nearer the soil, and "simple things", a conflict is erupts. A real state developer is determined to transform this easygoing paradise into a modern city. The rustic grandfather and the children fight back and win.

The greatest praise that I have for the film is overall exceptional acting: Miguel Ángel Landa, playing the grandfather. Landa has been one of the most prolific actors from Venezuela, but this role is different than when he plays, among others, cops, lowlife or military persons, etc. In this film Landa plays a more intelligent and caring person, full of the wisdom that age brings. His character has a great human depth. Gabriel Mantilla, the male child is completely believable and the spectator watches the change in the boy as he grows in the film. The young girl is also poignant and moving.

The direction of photography is by Cezary Jaworski, a Lodz Polish Film School graduate. Jaworski has been working in Venezuela for many years and has received many photography prizes and works within a style well suited to the story. Since "El Manzano Azul" is not a "realistic" film, the light comes from many sources, some not fully justified. Jaworski lights in location in a traditional studio fashion, but every frame is beautiful to look at.

This a traditional film well made and sometimes touching. I recommend that people go to see it on our screens.

City boy from divorced parents is sent out to the Venezuelan Andean mountains to spend time with his maternal grandfather. Although the story is straightforward, the mood is relaxing and the humor is light enough to take you smoothly through its 120-minute run time. Acting from Miguelangel Landa and the boy is of a great quality. Mr Landa has been in notable local movies like "Cangrejo" and is refreshingly good portraying a sick old man with stories to tell. The cinematography is excellent, with the foggy "páramos" (essentially cold mountains with sparse vegetation) as the backdrop. Editing is well done, shifting from the older narrator to the younger protagonist in a way that moves the story forward. Although there are some clear anachronisms (201x model car in a 20-year flashback?), the movie leaves a good feeling of Venezuelan cinema.