Acantilado

A painter who's life was dedicated to fleshing out the most outlandish strands in all previous centuries of art, goes to Manhattan in order to relinquish the trauma of his own country. This film, along with other documentaries on Dali, is essential for understanding the motives behind his work and legacy. At once documentary, mockumentary and tribute, this lethargic study of post-marital dysfunction reaches the blissful climax in the now-infamous money scene. Dali took his work seriously and his adoring fans for fools. That is a harsh fact to swallow, considering the temporal focus of his ventures into pottery, jewelry design and fashion. He knew how to mingle with the most superficial non-entities of the NY elite, while staying true to himself. This visual document stands out as a Dali treasure to be coveted by generations. Particularly stingy was the use of insurmountable talents like Lila Karp, who is only given a brief cameo. This isn't an easy VHS to find, but rest assured, as Dali's oeuvre continues to garner admirers worldwide, all of this rare visual treats will become closer to us.

As a follower of Red Squirrel (La Ardilla Roja) and a lover of all of Medem's work, this film came as no surprise. A film such as this is to be taken in little by little, as it poses many questions to the viewer, which can only be answered by a thorough analysis of both world history and the history of cinema itself. A necessity, not a luxury. I tried to watch it again in my local movie theatre but it was no longer playing. The sui generis tension created by a plot that shows a director who is deeply committed to his characters while basking in emotional detachment, can only be described as masterful, understated and richly woven. The trace elements of elation and synergy are observed throughout, but never grow tiresome or predictable. I have garnered a set of interviews with actors and producers in order to better understand what the process was, but their secretive approach to the performances and on-set ambiance was not something I was counting on. One too many. The soundtrack is also to be noticed, as it tames what would otherwise be considered harsh transitions into a poetic whole, seamlessly bringing together influences as disparate as Rufus Harley, Else Marie Pade, Silvestre Revueltas and Hubert Kah. Julio has put forth yet another cinematic journey for our enjoyment, mesmerizing in its simplicity yet sufficiently layered to produce a lot of after-movie discussions. The first time I saw it I couldn't wait to watch it again.