Well, I'm ill, I've got headache and a fever (or however you call it) so today I didn't go to school. Yesterday, I was in class, and began to feel uneasy and exhausted. I asked for an aspirin, which I was given, and ontinued the classes. Then I showed my masochistic side by going home walking and by bus, and when I
arrived I was like, 39º (centigrade, of course). Therefore, I'll be brief on my thoughts. La Caza (C. Saura, 1965) I rewatched this, because I felt like so. The fact that it's not known outside of the country is just disappointing, as I believe this to be one of Spain's greatsest cinematic achievements. This is a simple story of four men who decide to go hunting. Four friends who organize a trip to the countryside, planning to hunt down some rabbits. It all begins very well, with successful hunting. However, tensions grow between them. The sun, the heat, the arid and deserted surroundings, their memories, their personal conflicts, their weaknesses... it all leads to a tragic conclusion. I must say, this movie was controversial when it was released (remember, during the Franco dictatorship), and while not being as shocking today, it's still pretty brutal. This is a breathtaking, mesmerizing psychodrama, brilliantly written and structured by Saura. Nothing feels forced, everything flows naturally, none of the sequences feels artifical. The bleak cinematography reinforces the feeling of isolation and heat: the photography is indeed very detailed and masterfully excecuted by Saura; the editing is sharp and effective. The four men are well defined and, most importantly, well played by the actors, so that we cannot help but feel hatred or sympathy towards them. La Caza, while being a bit slow and unfocused at parts, is an excellent effort which should be experienced by every cinema fan. Bungee Jumping of their Own (K. Dae-seung, 2001) Aside of having the dumbest and most misleading translated title ever, this is a bizarre (even creepy) korean flick, a melodramatic romance film which efatures an original and fresh premise I wasn't expecting. It's about In-woo, a college student who falls for a woman who seems to be made for him. Their relationship develops, but then he's sent to the obligatory military service and loses contact with her. Seventeen years later, he's a professor, and while having married with another woman, he's still obsessed with his first crush. I won't go any longer, but the film, which began quite typically, introduces here a pretty eerie concept as well as an homosexual relationship, something which is quite surprising considering that this issue i generally a taboo in the korean society. This is a very atmospheric film, which is interesting in the most part - I must admit I was underwhelmed by the third act and the conclusion, which features an intriguing concept finely crafted by director Kim Dae-seung. I really like the look and feel of the film, and the cinematography achieves moments of breathtaking beauty at times. The melancholic score also benefits the ambiance. The acting is generally effective, specially by Lee Byung-heon, who is charming and delightful at the start but ends up being obessive and dramatic at the end. It's a film which raises many questions, and which I recommend, but that was not as rewarding as I expected and which just felt a bit pie-in-the-sky.
November 9, 2004
