DrFreudstein2011

"Los olvidados" is probably Buñuel's best film from his Mexican period; it's a depressing study in juvenile delinquency, set in the slums surrounding Mexico City. This film is the Latin American equivalent to Italian neorealism, but it also contains surrealist elements in it (for instance, Pedro's dream, one of the most poignant moments in film history). Jaibo (Roberto Cobo) has just been released from the reformatory and meets with his friends again, encouraging them to steal and abuse people in their neighbourhood. He viciously kills one of his acquaintances -Julián- for denouncing him to the police. Pedro (Alfonso Mejía) is the only witness to the murder, and so Jaibo begins to threaten and harass him in order to keep quiet, until tragedy comes for both of them. Pedro is the only likable or "positive" character in the whole movie. He has a tough life both in the streets and at home, where his mother despises him and doesn't care. Nevertheless, he tries to mend his ways and gets a job, and, although it seems for a moment that his luck and fate will change, things get even worse for him. Buñuel is not Manichean (his moral vision is never black/white) and he seems to tell us that the struggle between good and evil is permanent, with no clear or definitive results. His film is uncompromising, violent and cruel sometimes, always reminding us, as the director said, that "We don't live in the best of the worlds".

I saw this film about 25 years ago in a re-release at the movies, and still remember laughing from the very beginning until (almost) the end. Peter Sellers plays Hrundi Bakshi, a not-to-clever and clueless Indian actor who is the worst nightmare for directors when they're shooting scenes with him. Accidentally, Hrundi is invited to the party of a prominent Hollywood producer until the last consequences...This movie is basically Sellers' one-man-show, he shows an extraordinary talent not only in physical humour (his facial gestures and gags) but also verbally. He may seem socially inept and maybe a fool, but he's not. He is amusing, witty, and most of all, shows a great deal of tenderness (especially in the scenes with the French starlet). I won't rate it with 9 or 10 stars because I found the last 15 minutes a bit crude and predictable, and not according to the quality of the rest of the film.

I remember vaguely having heard the music of this film when I was a child, a wonderful score composed by Francis Lai. After waiting so many years to watch this movie, I was quite disappointed; the director (photographer David Hamilton) was able to create a dream-like atmosphere for the film, but that's about it. "Bilitis" is an almost plot less, erotic feature about a teenage girl who is confused about her sexuality (she is attracted to both girls and boys). Patty D'Arbanville plays the main role with a certain charm and naivety, but the rest of the characters are completely flat and uninteresting. Nevertheless, there is an acute sense of romance and nostalgic longing in this movie, plus the unforgettable soundtrack and fine cinematography (reminded me of impressionist paintings...) Rating: 5/10