Reviews (35)

A Choreographic Tour de force
This is an impressive cinematic experience which borders on pure ballet. What Evita achieved in some measure in its operatic effort (for all that it was worth)the movie Tango unleashes a continuous virtuosic display of stunning dance sequences which is not unlike that of classical ballet. To be sure, the visual (not special) effects assume precedence over any character development, although the main character's angst is to some degree fairly well defined. There is some philosophical adumbrations, some of which betray influences of Jorge Luis Borges; namely, the omnipresence of mirrors, which suggest the reality/illusion references; the encapsulated, closed environment of the mise-en-scene, the inveterate lonliness of the protagonist. Overall the film tends toward the abstract, not unlike a painting in perpetual motion.

Saura does not take a back seat to Spielberg
Much of this extraordinary movie deals with the Tango; its origins, its importance to the Argentine culture. The dancing is superlative, the music is wonderful. Amidst the music and the dancing, is a taut, dramatic love story. The depth of the story is not necessarily in the character development, but rather in the blurring of the imagination and reality experienced by the main character. This "back and forth" between reality and the imagination is marvelously portrayed as a result of Saura's sophisticated direction. At times you think you are looking at the characters only to find that you are looking at reflections. The cinematography and lighting are superb. A moviegoer does not have to have an affinity for the Tango to appreciate this movie. The terrific acting, beautiful use of light and color and the surreal thought processes of the main character are worthwhile in their own right, but the music, dancing and insight into the production of the "show within the show" are truly wonderful. Definitely an eleven on a scale of ten.

Excellent cinematography, a motion picture art piece
Tango is an amazing movie in its exceptional combination of dance, music, camera technique, color, mirrors, and lighting.

At several points in this movie I thought to myself: "Wow, this lighting/camera perspective is perfect, why don't we see more of this in movies?" After watching the movie once, I found myself immediately going back to re-watch some specific scenes just like one may be drawn back to an especially interesting piece of art.

The plot of this movie *is not* what makes this a great picture, although it does effectively tie together the various scenes and the overall context of the film. What makes this a great film are the actors/actresses, dance numbers, music, and cinematography.

The english subtitles were clear and easy to read at all times.

Overall a very different and entertaining movie... Recommended.

A movie about a Tango movie, but not really...
This movie is definitely different than most American movies. It is by far abstract. This is my warning to you folks. Be glad there is definitely Tango in this movie. This is a movie about the making of a Tango movie where the real life of the director is blended into the movie he's making. There's also a dark political message in there.
There are some dramatic Tango and some fun and playful tango during practice. There's a female voice over working on her craft. And an intro to the musicians. This movie really shows the audience every that goes into Tango, not just the dancers. Everyone. Including the lighting director. It has some social aspects of tango, although it could have gone deeper into this.
This movie is great for people exploring Tango, movie making, or the inner workings of a musical.
This movie won't appeal to people who only like mainstream or are irritated by abstract art or ideas. You might even walk away thinking..."was that a movie?"...not really.

There aren't many Tango movies out there. This is better than Assassination Tango. I would give this a 3star if there are better ones out there. The main actor in this movie is really good. I've never seen him before, but I can see he would fit in
perfectly with any American movie.

Now to answer a previous review:"No talent movie". I don't think this movie have to have the BEST TANGO dancers. Just because someone can Tango doesn't mean they can act. In fact, as the movie shows, they make mistakes in the audition and practice.
Would it be realistic to be perfect from dance school to audition to practice to show?

Tedious with not much tango
Long boring monologue about a director's midlife crisis with a young dancer. We don't see much dancing (or even much of her), just his dreary voice and self, with uninspired artsy pseudo-ballet tango fitfully in the background ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Great lineup, sterile handling
Carlos Saura has cornered the market for flamenco movies today, from his 'Carmen' and 'Bodas de Sangre'. The long career has given him access to Spain's top artists working today. Unfortunately he has not seen fit to change his doggedly austere style, throwing artists into a stark empty room hoping to induce a more somber, and presumably purer, more dignified and more respectable Art.

This may be good politics, but makes for bad art. Like it or not, the soul of flamenco cannot be torn from the Andalucian sun and earth and still live. Like Argentine tango and jazz, it is at its most vibrant and purposeful when it's at home among its people.

A much better intro to flamenco, which showcases this living link, would be "Duende y Misterio del Flamenco", "Los Tarantos" by legend Carmen Amaya, or the many Spanish TV documentaries like "Caminos Flamencos" or "Años de Flamenco" (with many of the same artists), available from Catalina's (catalinas@aol.com)

All the power, passion and artistry of contemporary flamenco
This is THE flamenco film. Carlos Saura, famous for his work with the great Antonio Gades ("Blood Wedding," "Carmen" and "El Amor Brujo") and for his portrait of Andalusian folklore in "Sevillanas," creates one of the best flamenco films ever made.

The focus in this work is on the performers and their performances. Sets are minimal and there is no "story" except that generated by the lyrics of the flamenco songs themselves. The director is careful to capture not only the larger aspects of the performances but also to zero in on the emotional engagement of the performers with their art . Flamenco is as much about the performer's struggles with the art and the emotions that underpin it as it is about a stage presentation. This is an intimate film despite the fact that it was shot in a train station. The sets, lighting and camera work continually direct your focus to that intimate space created by the performers.

The conceit of the film is a journey not only through flamenco's different styles as embodied by some of the art's greatest contemporary performers, but also a journey into the night. Not only is the night evoked through lighting effects, but the deep inner recesses of the soul are suggested as well, that inner wellspring from which flamenco itself arises.

This is the most profound exploration of flamenco ever captured on film. To understand flamenco, there is no better place to start than with Carlos Saura's masterpiece, "Flamenco."

Not what I thought...
I have listened to flamenco music all my life..I was born in Spain, and I'm telling you that this tape is not the true flamenco you would find on the streets of sevilla, or anywhere else in the south. ALso did not have enough dancing, which is the main atraction of the flamenco music.

Duende on film
Those not in the know tend to think of Flamenco in terms of women with fans and flying skirts and men in boots and macho attitudes. Well, yeah, but there's more, much more. This movie, filmed in a converted Spanish railway station, presents the full range of the Gitano's art, from traditional to modern, individual to group, expressing all the pain and joy of a true, very serious artform. A delight.

not enough dance
I am relatively new to flamenco and do not understand spanish. I like flamenco for the passion in the dance. I do not understand the music though, so my review might be that of a novice. I cannot even recognize the artists. I expected more dance in the video, though there are some very good pieces. I wanted to see more of the performers dancing like the world did not matter to them and the sound of the shoes was all the sound in the world, and the expressions in their faces. I am disappointed considering the price i paid for this. I wish I knew where to look for heart stopping flamenco dance. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

DVD NEEDED!!!
Please release these on DVD asap. The quality is so much better. Who has vhs??

DVD!! please soon. thank you.

Beautiful, Symbolic, Artisitc, Sensual, Powerful
This is a small, arty, and magnificent film! Certainly a DVD version should be released. Although all the dancing and music is amazing and highly entertaining, it is the interesting story - with its constant crosing over between the reality of the "story" and the reality of the performance (or story within the story) - that creates a depth lacking in most films. The film also explores the relationship between director/actor, man/woman and the various "politics" and power issues within those relationships. This film can be enjoyed through casual viewing as well as critical scrutiny - it holds up. Overall a wonderful and rewarding viewing experience.

Carmen and dance trilogy now on DVD!!!!!
Good news to all. Carmen and the Carlos Saura Dance Trilogy are available on DVD (PAL) if you visit www.flamencoexport.com. Shipping is a bit expensive but each DVD only costs around 21 Euros.

Please release the Dance Trilogy on DVD
My girlfriend had to drag me to see this onscreen when it first came out. She never had to drag me to see anything by Saura again. Carmen, Blood Wedding, Flamenco...everything I've seen was wonderful. I may not be able to carry a tune, I sure can't dance well, but I can tell when someone else is doing a good job. And my goodness, do they ever do a good job.

Please release all the Dance Trilogy on DVD. My old VHS tapes of the first 2 are likely to wear out someday, I'd much rather replace the tapes with a disc.

This movie needs to be on DVD
This is one of my favorite movies. It should be on DVD so it is more available. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Love it or hate it!
If you are looking for action, define action. If you like dance, define dance. If you like Saura, this is Saura. Gades... If you want Lorca's play word by word, read the book. A movie is a movie is a movie. Not a play. Not a script. This is one of the best movies ever made, if you like the style, if you like tension, if you like contained filming, and new filmic vocabulary expressions and techniques. Sit back and enjoy. This is at the same level as The Tango Lesson (Sally Potter, don't miss it!) and that old classic black & white movie, They Shoot Horses, D'ont They? And if you like Japanese direcor Akira Kurosawa, you will like this movie. This is not an action movie, this is movie action! A poem on screen!

A Poor Adaptation
I watched "Bodas de Sangre" as part of a Hispanic Literature and Film class. Our goal was to compare novels and plays with their cinematic adaptations. After reading the play, I was greatly intregued, more so than any other time in the class, to see how it would transfer on to the screen. However, that intrerue quickly turned into a great anxiety to leave the movie. As a person who is not very experienced with dance, it was somewhat difficult to transfer what I gained from the play over to an understanding of the movie. It made the movie far too boring for myself and everyone in the room with me. By concentrating almost entirely on the use of the Flamenco to tell the story, Saura loses a great deal of his potential audience. Not everyone is an expert in interpreting what certain types of dance moves are supposed to suggest and as a result those people are going to feel at a loss when watching this movie. A greater use of dialogue would have vastly improved the quality of the adaptation as well as allowing a much larger audience to appreciate the terrific story that Frederico Garcia Lorca originally created. On the bright side for me, a person who typically favors the movie over the written version...This experience has taught me to have more of an appreciation for the latter.

See it just to hear Pepa Flores!!!
It is a flamenco film...Saura style...Gades is a great dancer but the real treat here is the appearance of the magnificent Pepa Flores, the once known singer and actress named Marisol. A superb voice added to the lullaby...what a treat!!!! The few snapshots of her are worth it as is the sound of her voice through the scene. Don't miss it!!

Blood Wedding
This is the first Flamenco Ballet I have ever seen. It is filmed at a studio but magically it turns into a gypsy camp. It is a story about two fathers who make a "blood" pack that their children will marry. However, their children grow up and fall in love with other people in the camp. But, they have to marry each other and not the ones they love. Has gypsy folklore. Wonderful Flamenco music and dancing. Different than any movie I have seen, but I would wee it again.

Duende
I saw this film a number of years ago, but still remember vividly the passion of the dance and the film style. I feel that it is fitting that this piece of literature should have been translated into flamenco, because de Lorca was a great lover of the art form. I study flamenco with a woman from Cadiz, Spain, who sings and dances many of the great songs that he wrote the lyrics for, and she says that he was often quoted as saying that flamenco was deeper than the deepest part of the deepest ocean. So, I guess it goes to say that this is a film not to be merely watched, but intensly felt, as not only the story of Blood Wedding, but in the duende, or soul, of the dancers portraying it. If you are looking for mere entertainment, this is not for you. If you are looking for something to engage your passions, soul, and mind--take a look. ... Read more

Description

In a country torn apart by Civil War, two travelling entertainers find themselves trapped on the wrong side of enemy lines. Will a show to end all shows save their lives, or finish them? ' 'Funny, moving and irresistible!' ' (The Village Voice) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great film set during the Spanish Civil War
The great director Carlos Saura started with an outstanding cast and authentic detailed war time sets to create this superb film about republican vaudeville entertainers who take a wrong turn during their road show and wind up in the hands of fascist troops. Expecting to be executed, they are given a chance to entertain the fascists and obtain freedom by a stage struck Italian officer. But a chance encounter with Polish international brigade prisoners of war creates an emotional conflict for Carmen Maura. She must go through with an act that she finds distasteful and dreads the possibility that the POWs will be in the audience. The details of wartime Spain are excellent and the supporting cast is outstanding. The title of the film is taken from a charming Civil War song which also happens to be the name of the act, Carmela y Paulino. Saura has created a film that is both light and charming but with an underlying seriousness about this great tragic period of Spanish history.

Novios de la muerte.
The Spanish Civil War seen as a vaudeville show for the brutal Franco troops, where the terrified performers try to save their skins and their conscience, knowing they can't have both. Carmen Maura shines (what else is new?) as the outspoken partner in a sing-and-dance couple, but Pajares clearly steals the show as her chaplinesque, panic-stricken husband.

For SCW buffs, the movie is top notch. Down-to-the-last-detail production truly re-creates wartime Spain in every aspect, from uniforms, vehicles, weapons, posters, fashions, jokes, songs and dances, to even the streets themselves, for it seems the producers had to destroy an entire Spanish village in order to shoot the film. The menacing background radio broadcasts real-life Franco speeches, war news bulletins and fascist hymns, whereas the movie score is powerful and nostalgic. A gripping, yet comic, tale about the unsung heroism of your fellow man, I personally prefer it to Benigni's much vaunted 'La Vita E Bella!'. Don't miss it!

Burguesía y resistencia.
En esta historia, enmarcada en la Guerra Civil Española, donde los Franquistas dominaban las manifestaciones artísticas no del agrado de ellos, encontraron la censura y el rechazo, manifiesto en la osbstrucción y el abuso. La resistencia que apenas se podia sostener, enfrentaba el fusilamiento o la desaparición imprevista. Carmela representa esa resistencia. Es la voz del pueblo que no se resigna a abandonar lo que cree y lo que vive, su arte, como expresión sublime del ser humano. Esta película es una de las mejores muestras de la lucha sostenida entre las clases dominantes de la burgesía y los trabajadores del arte.

Carmen triumphant
This is a beautiful movie exploring the courage of a woman surrounded by confused, helpless, or cowardly men. Carmela during the Spanish Civil War faces down the fascists and turns the tables on them in a play they thought would ridicule their victims, but which Carmela forces to the logical exposition of the basic cowardice of fascists (from Francisco Franco and Benito Mussolini to George W. Bush and Ariel Sharon), whose courage consists in the murder of unarmed opponents, like the heroic actress. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Film as art
This movie by Carlos Saura is an ambitious attempt at recreating the life of celebrated Spanish artist, Francisco Goya. The cinematography is spell binding as the artists works are recreated masterfully, only to be matched by the magnificent time period recreation. The acting is very good, good enough to garnish a Goya(Spanish equivilent of an Oscar) for leading actor and actress. Veteran actor Francisco Rabal, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the real Goya and Maribel Vernu as Cayetana, the Dutchess of Alba, both won a Goya for their performances. If all this reference to Goya is confusing it is because I'm laying the foundation for the problem with this movie. The story of Goya is told to his daughter through a series of flashbacks that are at times very perplexing. It is not so much that they are confusing but that no explanation is given to the circumstances of Goya's life. Saura makes the leap that everyone knows about Goya rather than explaining. Maybe everyone in Spain knows about Goya but not all viewers are Spanish. It helps to be up on your Spanish history prior to viewing to understand the political nature of the times and the reason for his self imposed exile to Bordeaux in his later years. I did some reading afterwards but it would have been better to know the why before viewing. Anyway the sets and lighting are works of art in themselves as the paintings and walls in one sequence come to life. These hallucinations are part of the torment that Goya suffers and is reflected in his art. Some insights are given into the life of Goya but it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Goyas mixing in the royal court and hob nobing with the rich and famous are perfect backdrops for his cavorting with Cayetana. Saura has created a work of art in his homage to one of Spains master painters. Goya's life and death, as represented in this film, is the end of an era linked to Velasquez and the birth of modern art in Spain. Recommended for art enthuisists with deep pockets.

Film as art
This movie by Carlos Saura is an ambitious attempt at recreating the life of celebrated Spanish artist, Francisco Goya. The cinematography is spell binding as the artists works are recreated masterfully, only to be matched by the magnificent time period recreation. The acting is very good, good enough to garnish a Goya(Spanish equivilent of an Oscar) for leading actor and actress. Veteran actor Francisco Rabal, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the real Goya and Maribel Vernu as Cayetana, the Dutchess of Alba, both won a Goya for their performances. If all this reference to Goya is confusing it is because I'm laying the foundation for the problem with this movie. The story of Goya is told to his daughter through a series of flashbacks that are at times very perplexing. It is not so much that they are confusing but that no explanation is given to the circumstances of Goya's life. Saura makes the leap that everyone knows about Goya rather than explaining. Maybe everyone in Spain knows about Goya but not all viewers are Spanish. It helps to be up on your Spanish history prior to viewing to understand the political nature of the times and the reason for his self imposed exile to Bordeaux in his later years. I did some reading afterwards but it would have been better to know the why before viewing. Anyway the sets and lighting are works of art in themselves as the paintings and walls in one sequence come to life. These hallucinations are part of the torment that Goya suffers and is reflected in his art. Some insights are given into the life of Goya but it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Goyas mixing in the royal court and hob nobing with the rich and famous are perfect backdrops for his cavorting with Cayetana. Saura has created a work of art in his homage to one of Spains master painters. Goya's life and death, as represented in this film, is the end of an era linked to Velasquez and the birth of modern art in Spain. Recommended for art enthuisists with deep pockets.

An Exploration on the Role of the Artist in Society
Saura's newest film follows in the tradition of <>, <> and his most recent film <>. All explore the role of the artist as <> within society. <> is no exception. The film features Francisco Rabal, now the elderly Goya, who recounts his life to his young daughter in a series of artistic flashbacks, many of which cross the boundaries of time and space. Integral to the plot are his recollections of his affair with Cayetana, the famed Duchess of Alba, and who torments his thoughts throughout the course of the film bringing an element of reality to the artist's sometimes surreal world, a world where Goya's paintings serve as backdrops to illustrate the historical period. In addition, unusual lighting and music contribute to the film's artistic flare, all blending into a lush and virtual feast for the eyes. I truly enjoyed this creative experiment. It is a must for Saura fans and for those who enjoy Spanish art and history.

love goya
i don't watch too many foreign films, not really my kind of thing, but this is easily one of my favorite movies. has a wonderful look to it. if you like foreign movies you should check this out.

Indeed, a masterpiece
After seeing this film twice at the Vancouver Film Festival, visiting from my home in Mexico, I could hardly wait to own it, even though it was only available in VHS. I find it fascinating and disturbing that Saura's masterpiece, as non-linear and right-brained as any great work of art, should be maligned by critics such as Roger Ebert, and others. Here's to those who've written their praise for the film on these pages!
This is extraordinary creation, a fusion of both outer and inner realities that the logical mind cannot grasp - and why must it? Does it really matter what happened factually to Goya? Aren't those fiery skies and the music of Boccherini, reflecting the fire and brimstone in Goya's mind, enough to tell us that the film is mythic? Shakespeare did the same thing with his tragic heroes because the Elizabethans and the alchemists believed in "as above, so below". Macbeth's turmoil is reflected in the storms outside, and the bloody battles raging around him. Yet that's fiction and we believe this world is reality..
I buy few films, and I cherish this one. I'm still longing for "Providence" to come out on DVD because Resnais interweaves life and art from the same perspective...an old man, a writer, dying among his living, breathing creations. I live in an Mexico's oldest city, on a street named "Cinco de Mayo" Every day I'm reminded of Goya's painting, and this film is shown at least once a month on TV because the Mexicans love it - the Latin world has no problem suspending reality in the name of art - which is why Andre Breton called Mexico the ultimate surrealism. Thank you Saura, once again. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Interesting...but not for the reasons I expected
I purchased this DVD because I liked Antonio Banderas in "The Mask of Zorro" and because I heard that his co-star, Francesca Neri, was the "Italian Michelle Pfiffer." As far as I could tell, they both are obviously very talented actors. However, the film story was terrible. It is a very graphic rape story with a very unsatisfying ending. I was glad I purchased the DVD though because Francesca Neri is truly an incredibly gorgeous actress - and she has one of the most gigantic Adam's apples I've ever seen on a woman!

Outrage with Banderas
This movie is horrible and brutal with no interesting hooks and really bad dubbing. Antonio Banderas can not even save this movie with all his talent.

Banderas & Neri are the 2 STARS in this rating.
Francesca Neri and Antonio Banderas are a great match in a lousy movie. Neri (new to me) is beautiful and charismatic and did ever notice how the always dependable Banderas can make the worst movie tolerable? Here again he does some excellent emoting. Just like one of the other reviewers, the first 25 minutes are quite entertaining, but then it really becomes a violent, disgusting bore. While I was happy that Neri as Anna blew her three rapists to smithereens, her shooting of the two policemen was totally beyond redemption. That's when the film went to hell.

Save your Money
The best description of this lackluster flick is "HO HuM" Banderas walks around like a lovesick puppy and goes off to Barcelona while his girlfriend gets raped by three thugs and then goes on a shooting spree all over Spain after having kill the three. Thin plot, bad acting and not great English dubbing. I should have been paid for watching it. At least I did get a good nights sleep.

Film worth watching, for Carlos Saura's sake...
Technical screw-ups with DVD aside, this film is OK. It certainly bears lesser artistic value than other films from Carlso Saura. But, it is not worse than some of the rubbish that come outs. It is just, probably, one of those cases, when an artist needed money and so on...

The story is somewhat weak and superficial. I was drawn into it for the first 20-25 minutes. I expected something really interesting to happen. It did not...

It is a story of a young journalist, Banderas, who needs to cover a story [for reasons, I honestly can not remember] about the circus, which came to town.

Naturally, he falls in love with the beautiful horse-riding circus girl.

From that point on, it gest worse...

It turns out that the girl is half-Russian, half-Italian, half-God-knows what else. She is very bright and intelligent, inspite of her being a circus artist [feel the social message here]: she seems to be speaking all the languages she knows at once.

They end up having a little bit of sex [at least on screen], then, she is raped, and then, what?... oh, yeah, she gets revenge and he gets... nothing.

And you are left in an OUTRAGE: Could the plot be any more lame than this? Hardly... ... Read more

Description

In haunting memories, a woman relives the disturbing summer of her father's death.Outside her father's bedroom door, the nine-year-old Ana hears him making love to his best friend's wife, then take his last gasp of breath.When, years earlier, her mother died of cancer, Ana blamed her father; now she blames herself for his demise.In Saura's compelling vision of the child's world, past and present blend imperceptibly.Fantasy and reality become one as dead characters take their place beside the living.Cria! is graced by two remarkable actresses: Ana Torrent (The Spirit of the Beehive) as the guilt-ridden girl and Geraldine Chaplin (Peppermint Frappe) as both the grown-up Ana and her deceased mother. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Saura's Masterpiece
Once upon a time, there was a dictator who ruled Spain whose name was Franco. While the most famous Spanish director, Luis Buñuel, left the country to work uninhibited in France and Mexico, and the next generation's most famous director, Almodóvar, was just an infant, Carlos Saura was the director who remained in Spain making films that were critical of the dictatorial regime but escaped the vigilant eyes of the censors because of their subtlety and his use of metaphor and symbolism. Cría is the product of this masterful director who dared to challenge the authoritarian government.
On the surface, it is the story of a young girl, Ana, who is obsessed with death because she witnesses the slow death of her mother from a painful disease; but she also witnesses the infidelities and hypocrisy of the adults that surround her: her father who dies while having intimate relations with a close family friend, an aunt who is left as her guardian who is incapable of affection, and a bawdy maid who doesn't know how to appropriately deal with this young girl.
When one views the film for a second or third time, he/she realizes that it is a scathing indictment of the treatment of women in traditional Spain, the Spain that Franco was intent on re-creating. There is the invalid grandmother, unable to speak, who symbolizes the forced silence of women or, at least, the failure to take them seriously during the Franco era. There is the mother (exquisitely portrayed by Geraldine Chaplin) who sacrifices her career as a budding concert pianist to become a mother and wife (again, the traditional role of the repressed Spanish woman). Her pleas for help and her insistence that she is ill are ignored by her (equally traditional)unfaithful husband because women and their concerns simply were unimportant. Finally there is the adult Ana who appears in a series of stark interviews who is also portrayed by Chaplin to demonstrate that nothing will change from one generation to the next. (The final scene reinforces this idea.)
Symbolism abounds in this film, and all of it leads to a moving description of the role (or lack thereof) that women occupied in Franco's Spain.
In short, along with the film "The Hunt" (La caza) this film remains one of Saura's masterpieces that withstands the test of time and proves to be an historical document of an era as well as a compelling drama in its own right.

Reality and imagination merge for orphaned Ana
"Cria!" tells the story of a little girl named Ana (Ana Torrent), who has lost both of her parents. However, they are still in her thoughts, so this captivating work from writer-director Carlos Saura merges her thoughts with reality. Ana continues to talk with her parents, especially her mother, also named Ana and wonderfully played by Geraldine Chaplin (yes, I was surprised to realize it was her in this film as well). Throughout this film you will be wondering what is real and what is imagination, although it is clear as to which is more important to Ana. It is nice to see that this film appears letterboxed and digitally re-mastered with new subtitles. However, if you can watch this film with somebody who knows Spanish you should get them to tell you the words of the song little Ana keeps singing, because it is that song which is her "cry" in this film. One of the strengths of this film is how Saura using camera angles to reflect the little girl's perspective on the world. This is an intelligent as well as an affective portrayal of a young child dealing with the loss of her parents. Originally released in Spain as "Cria Cuervos," this film won the Cannes Festival Special Jury Prize.

Exceptional!
The plot structure is emotionally intricate, with many subtleties and moments of serenity and passion. The cinematography captures the drama perfectly and the soundtrack weaves beautifully into the texture of the movie. Highly recommended.

A delicate movie about a lonely and sensitive child
Carlos Saura captured beautifully the loneliness, the desires and the fears of chidhood. His child heroine is complex and touching. An interesting view of innocence and the loss of innocence.

Beautiful movie
Carlos Saura is,unfortunately, not well known in the States. He doesn't deserve this. It's one of his most beautiful movie mainly because he knows how to direct a child in a story full of emotion. Geraldine Chaplin, the daughter of the Great Chaplin, who was Saura's wife at that time, is more than impressive. The atmosphere is captivating. And the title music, sang in Spanish (the movie took place in Spain) by an English singer, is beautiful and fits perfectly with the story. If you hadn't seen it, you had lost a magnificient work by the actors and the director. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Must-See for all Lovers of Flamenco and Spanish Culture!
I have been a professional flamenco dancer throughout the US and in Spain, where I have studied extensively, for 15 years. I have also been a professional flamenco singer for the last 5 of those years. I loved this movie for the beautiful representation of the diversity of styles (both of the Sevillanas themselves and of the performers) that Saura has brought to the screen with obvious love and respect for flamenco and Spanish culture.

The artists in the film range from legendary professionals (Camaron, Manuela Carrasco, Paco de Lucia, Manolo Sanlucar, Merche Esmeralda, and SO many others) to unknown but passionate Spaniards. This is a valuable depiction of the variety of Sevillanas in Spain, that you can see in theaters, classrooms, nightclubs, and fiestas. I also appreciate that Saura showed the joy and vibrancy that can be expressed in Sevillanas. So many people are only familiar with (and only expect to see) the somber side of flamenco, which does not fully represent such a great culture. Flamenco has a full spectrum of moods and emotion, and I aprreciate that Saura has shown that in this as well as his other films.

Through music, dance, and beautiful cinematography, it gives the watcher valuable insight to many aspects of a culture known for its passion and diversity. Yes, the whole film is of different individuals and groups all performing the traditionally-based Sevillanas. If this had been done by any other director or if it hadn't been so inclusive of so many styles, it would have seemed redundant. However, all the Sevillanas are varied and unique, and performed with such beauty and passion that I can't imagine anyone being bored. Also, the visual tone and mood created by Saura for each individual performance adds greatly to the performances and to the viewer's understanding of the diversity found (and encouraged) even in the most common dances. While this is not my favorite Saura film (I prefer his flamenco trilogy of Blood Wedding, Carmen, and El Amor Brujo) this film is a gem and a must-see for anyone with a love and appreciation for flamenco or for Spain! Gracias Saura!

The real thing
The film will show you the multiple facets of the only popular andalusian music (some people wouldn't classified it as flamenco, but as flamenco like folk singing) that has spread outside the region to be widely enjoyed all over Spain. Dancers and musicians range from top professionals to ordinary people. Not really fiery or passionate, but restraint and stylish. A jewel.

"Sevillanas" Disappointing
In a long life I have seen many of the great flamenco stars -- La Argentinita, Escudero, Amaya, et al -- and all of the Carlos Saura films, so I looked forward to having "Sevillanas". Alas, I am sadly disappointed. Surely there are better dancers in Spain than those presented here. The photography is fussy, pretentious, and intrudes on the dancing. Perhaps an entire film devoted to the Sevillian style is bound to lack the tension and excitement we associate with flamenco. I found it boring, and regret having bought it.

Fiery flamenco performances NOT for the faint-hearted!
As a flamenco student, this video delivered the soul and passion that is 99% of flamenco! Before I started studying, it was hard to find a video - any video - on the subject. Carlos Saura did a marvelous job of capturing the fancy footwork (taconeo) and spirit/tonality (duende) that is flamenco. Even novices to this folk art will be swallowed alive by the fiery performances. ... Read more

Description

Carlos Saura's (Cria!, Carmen) first commercial success in Spain, Peppermint Frappe radiates the influence of Surrealist director Luis Buñuel.The eerie story of a bachelor obsessed with his friend's wife explores the fierce conflict between repressive religious upbringing and sexual desire.Julian, a respected doctor devoted to the Catholic Church, and Pablo, a free spirit caught up in the modern ways quickly engulfing traditional Spain, are distinct opposites.When Julian meets Pablo's bride Elena, he imagines that she is the mysterious woman he had seen beating a drum at a Holy Week ritual, then attempts to transform his nurse Ana into a second Elena.This mesmerizing mixture of reality, illusion, and memories stars Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez (The Garden of Delights) as Julian and Geraldine Chaplin (Cria!) as both the temptress Elena and the shy Ana. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Peppermint Frappe
This movie has one of the all-time best scenes in film history. I have viewed this particular scene at least 30 times and each time I love it even more. The scene could easily stand alone with a 5-star star rating, but it's not necessary because the entire film is well worth watching. It is unique in content and has a tension and tone that keeps you wondering where the film is leading you. I highly recommend it. Great soundtrack, too! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Saura's Masterpiece
Once upon a time, there was a dictator who ruled Spain whose name was Franco. While the most famous Spanish director, Luis Buñuel, left the country to work uninhibited in France and Mexico, and the next generation's most famous director, Almodóvar, was just an infant, Carlos Saura was the director who remained in Spain making films that were critical of the dictatorial regime but escaped the vigilant eyes of the censors because of their subtlety and his use of metaphor and symbolism. Cría is the product of this masterful director who dared to challenge the authoritarian government.
On the surface, it is the story of a young girl, Ana, who is obsessed with death because she witnesses the slow death of her mother from a painful disease; but she also witnesses the infidelities and hypocrisy of the adults that surround her: her father who dies while having intimate relations with a close family friend, an aunt who is left as her guardian who is incapable of affection, and a bawdy maid who doesn't know how to appropriately deal with this young girl.
When one views the film for a second or third time, he/she realizes that it is a scathing indictment of the treatment of women in traditional Spain, the Spain that Franco was intent on re-creating. There is the invalid grandmother, unable to speak, who symbolizes the forced silence of women or, at least, the failure to take them seriously during the Franco era. There is the mother (exquisitely portrayed by Geraldine Chaplin) who sacrifices her career as a budding concert pianist to become a mother and wife (again, the traditional role of the repressed Spanish woman). Her pleas for help and her insistence that she is ill are ignored by her (equally traditional)unfaithful husband because women and their concerns simply were unimportant. Finally there is the adult Ana who appears in a series of stark interviews who is also portrayed by Chaplin to demonstrate that nothing will change from one generation to the next. (The final scene reinforces this idea.)
Symbolism abounds in this film, and all of it leads to a moving description of the role (or lack thereof) that women occupied in Franco's Spain.
In short, along with the film "The Hunt" (La caza) this film remains one of Saura's masterpieces that withstands the test of time and proves to be an historical document of an era as well as a compelling drama in its own right.

Reality and imagination merge for orphaned Ana
"Cria!" tells the story of a little girl named Ana (Ana Torrent), who has lost both of her parents. However, they are still in her thoughts, so this captivating work from writer-director Carlos Saura merges her thoughts with reality. Ana continues to talk with her parents, especially her mother, also named Ana and wonderfully played by Geraldine Chaplin (yes, I was surprised to realize it was her in this film as well). Throughout this film you will be wondering what is real and what is imagination, although it is clear as to which is more important to Ana. It is nice to see that this film appears letterboxed and digitally re-mastered with new subtitles. However, if you can watch this film with somebody who knows Spanish you should get them to tell you the words of the song little Ana keeps singing, because it is that song which is her "cry" in this film. One of the strengths of this film is how Saura using camera angles to reflect the little girl's perspective on the world. This is an intelligent as well as an affective portrayal of a young child dealing with the loss of her parents. Originally released in Spain as "Cria Cuervos," this film won the Cannes Festival Special Jury Prize.

Exceptional!
The plot structure is emotionally intricate, with many subtleties and moments of serenity and passion. The cinematography captures the drama perfectly and the soundtrack weaves beautifully into the texture of the movie. Highly recommended.

A delicate movie about a lonely and sensitive child
Carlos Saura captured beautifully the loneliness, the desires and the fears of chidhood. His child heroine is complex and touching. An interesting view of innocence and the loss of innocence.

Beautiful movie
Carlos Saura is,unfortunately, not well known in the States. He doesn't deserve this. It's one of his most beautiful movie mainly because he knows how to direct a child in a story full of emotion. Geraldine Chaplin, the daughter of the Great Chaplin, who was Saura's wife at that time, is more than impressive. The atmosphere is captivating. And the title music, sang in Spanish (the movie took place in Spain) by an English singer, is beautiful and fits perfectly with the story. If you hadn't seen it, you had lost a magnificient work by the actors and the director. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Typical Saura film: surreal, ironic, dark, yet enligtening..
Pauline Kael called this film a comedy. I think it is more of a magical realism melodrama, intercepted with typical sarcastic Spanish humor.

"The Garden of Delights" is a story about impotence [both symbolic and literal] of contemporary society, with all its money and technological advancement. The main character is a man in a wheelchair, who does not have an actual medical illness; he is paralyzed by the uselessness of his own existence, and so is his whole household.

Saura's camera works to create the aura of emptiness, uselessness, and mental confusion-- qualities that can characterize every single member of the household, with the exception of the non-real, airy aunt from another world. He constantly uses annoyingly long shots, empty shots, purposeless shots, etc.

If, in fact, main characters do have an illness, then, it is definitely paranoia, which creates a seeming physical ailment.

This film is deep, artistically and emotionally challenging. It demands more than a simple casual viewing. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Interesting...but not for the reasons I expected
I purchased this DVD because I liked Antonio Banderas in "The Mask of Zorro" and because I heard that his co-star, Francesca Neri, was the "Italian Michelle Pfiffer." As far as I could tell, they both are obviously very talented actors. However, the film story was terrible. It is a very graphic rape story with a very unsatisfying ending. I was glad I purchased the DVD though because Francesca Neri is truly an incredibly gorgeous actress - and she has one of the most gigantic Adam's apples I've ever seen on a woman!

Outrage with Banderas
This movie is horrible and brutal with no interesting hooks and really bad dubbing. Antonio Banderas can not even save this movie with all his talent.

Banderas & Neri are the 2 STARS in this rating.
Francesca Neri and Antonio Banderas are a great match in a lousy movie. Neri (new to me) is beautiful and charismatic and did ever notice how the always dependable Banderas can make the worst movie tolerable? Here again he does some excellent emoting. Just like one of the other reviewers, the first 25 minutes are quite entertaining, but then it really becomes a violent, disgusting bore. While I was happy that Neri as Anna blew her three rapists to smithereens, her shooting of the two policemen was totally beyond redemption. That's when the film went to hell.

Save your Money
The best description of this lackluster flick is "HO HuM" Banderas walks around like a lovesick puppy and goes off to Barcelona while his girlfriend gets raped by three thugs and then goes on a shooting spree all over Spain after having kill the three. Thin plot, bad acting and not great English dubbing. I should have been paid for watching it. At least I did get a good nights sleep.

Film worth watching, for Carlos Saura's sake...
Technical screw-ups with DVD aside, this film is OK. It certainly bears lesser artistic value than other films from Carlso Saura. But, it is not worse than some of the rubbish that come outs. It is just, probably, one of those cases, when an artist needed money and so on...

The story is somewhat weak and superficial. I was drawn into it for the first 20-25 minutes. I expected something really interesting to happen. It did not...

It is a story of a young journalist, Banderas, who needs to cover a story [for reasons, I honestly can not remember] about the circus, which came to town.

Naturally, he falls in love with the beautiful horse-riding circus girl.

From that point on, it gest worse...

It turns out that the girl is half-Russian, half-Italian, half-God-knows what else. She is very bright and intelligent, inspite of her being a circus artist [feel the social message here]: she seems to be speaking all the languages she knows at once.

They end up having a little bit of sex [at least on screen], then, she is raped, and then, what?... oh, yeah, she gets revenge and he gets... nothing.

And you are left in an OUTRAGE: Could the plot be any more lame than this? Hardly... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Interesting...but not for the reasons I expected
I purchased this DVD because I liked Antonio Banderas in "The Mask of Zorro" and because I heard that his co-star, Francesca Neri, was the "Italian Michelle Pfiffer." As far as I could tell, they both are obviously very talented actors. However, the film story was terrible. It is a very graphic rape story with a very unsatisfying ending. I was glad I purchased the DVD though because Francesca Neri is truly an incredibly gorgeous actress - and she has one of the most gigantic Adam's apples I've ever seen on a woman!

Outrage with Banderas
This movie is horrible and brutal with no interesting hooks and really bad dubbing. Antonio Banderas can not even save this movie with all his talent.

Banderas & Neri are the 2 STARS in this rating.
Francesca Neri and Antonio Banderas are a great match in a lousy movie. Neri (new to me) is beautiful and charismatic and did ever notice how the always dependable Banderas can make the worst movie tolerable? Here again he does some excellent emoting. Just like one of the other reviewers, the first 25 minutes are quite entertaining, but then it really becomes a violent, disgusting bore. While I was happy that Neri as Anna blew her three rapists to smithereens, her shooting of the two policemen was totally beyond redemption. That's when the film went to hell.

Save your Money
The best description of this lackluster flick is "HO HuM" Banderas walks around like a lovesick puppy and goes off to Barcelona while his girlfriend gets raped by three thugs and then goes on a shooting spree all over Spain after having kill the three. Thin plot, bad acting and not great English dubbing. I should have been paid for watching it. At least I did get a good nights sleep.

Film worth watching, for Carlos Saura's sake...
Technical screw-ups with DVD aside, this film is OK. It certainly bears lesser artistic value than other films from Carlso Saura. But, it is not worse than some of the rubbish that come outs. It is just, probably, one of those cases, when an artist needed money and so on...

The story is somewhat weak and superficial. I was drawn into it for the first 20-25 minutes. I expected something really interesting to happen. It did not...

It is a story of a young journalist, Banderas, who needs to cover a story [for reasons, I honestly can not remember] about the circus, which came to town.

Naturally, he falls in love with the beautiful horse-riding circus girl.

From that point on, it gest worse...

It turns out that the girl is half-Russian, half-Italian, half-God-knows what else. She is very bright and intelligent, inspite of her being a circus artist [feel the social message here]: she seems to be speaking all the languages she knows at once.

They end up having a little bit of sex [at least on screen], then, she is raped, and then, what?... oh, yeah, she gets revenge and he gets... nothing.

And you are left in an OUTRAGE: Could the plot be any more lame than this? Hardly... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Interesting...but not for the reasons I expected
I purchased this DVD because I liked Antonio Banderas in "The Mask of Zorro" and because I heard that his co-star, Francesca Neri, was the "Italian Michelle Pfiffer." As far as I could tell, they both are obviously very talented actors. However, the film story was terrible. It is a very graphic rape story with a very unsatisfying ending. I was glad I purchased the DVD though because Francesca Neri is truly an incredibly gorgeous actress - and she has one of the most gigantic Adam's apples I've ever seen on a woman!

Outrage with Banderas
This movie is horrible and brutal with no interesting hooks and really bad dubbing. Antonio Banderas can not even save this movie with all his talent.

Banderas & Neri are the 2 STARS in this rating.
Francesca Neri and Antonio Banderas are a great match in a lousy movie. Neri (new to me) is beautiful and charismatic and did ever notice how the always dependable Banderas can make the worst movie tolerable? Here again he does some excellent emoting. Just like one of the other reviewers, the first 25 minutes are quite entertaining, but then it really becomes a violent, disgusting bore. While I was happy that Neri as Anna blew her three rapists to smithereens, her shooting of the two policemen was totally beyond redemption. That's when the film went to hell.

Save your Money
The best description of this lackluster flick is "HO HuM" Banderas walks around like a lovesick puppy and goes off to Barcelona while his girlfriend gets raped by three thugs and then goes on a shooting spree all over Spain after having kill the three. Thin plot, bad acting and not great English dubbing. I should have been paid for watching it. At least I did get a good nights sleep.

Film worth watching, for Carlos Saura's sake...
Technical screw-ups with DVD aside, this film is OK. It certainly bears lesser artistic value than other films from Carlso Saura. But, it is not worse than some of the rubbish that come outs. It is just, probably, one of those cases, when an artist needed money and so on...

The story is somewhat weak and superficial. I was drawn into it for the first 20-25 minutes. I expected something really interesting to happen. It did not...

It is a story of a young journalist, Banderas, who needs to cover a story [for reasons, I honestly can not remember] about the circus, which came to town.

Naturally, he falls in love with the beautiful horse-riding circus girl.

From that point on, it gest worse...

It turns out that the girl is half-Russian, half-Italian, half-God-knows what else. She is very bright and intelligent, inspite of her being a circus artist [feel the social message here]: she seems to be speaking all the languages she knows at once.

They end up having a little bit of sex [at least on screen], then, she is raped, and then, what?... oh, yeah, she gets revenge and he gets... nothing.

And you are left in an OUTRAGE: Could the plot be any more lame than this? Hardly... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Interesting...but not for the reasons I expected
I purchased this DVD because I liked Antonio Banderas in "The Mask of Zorro" and because I heard that his co-star, Francesca Neri, was the "Italian Michelle Pfiffer." As far as I could tell, they both are obviously very talented actors. However, the film story was terrible. It is a very graphic rape story with a very unsatisfying ending. I was glad I purchased the DVD though because Francesca Neri is truly an incredibly gorgeous actress - and she has one of the most gigantic Adam's apples I've ever seen on a woman!

Outrage with Banderas
This movie is horrible and brutal with no interesting hooks and really bad dubbing. Antonio Banderas can not even save this movie with all his talent.

Banderas & Neri are the 2 STARS in this rating.
Francesca Neri and Antonio Banderas are a great match in a lousy movie. Neri (new to me) is beautiful and charismatic and did ever notice how the always dependable Banderas can make the worst movie tolerable? Here again he does some excellent emoting. Just like one of the other reviewers, the first 25 minutes are quite entertaining, but then it really becomes a violent, disgusting bore. While I was happy that Neri as Anna blew her three rapists to smithereens, her shooting of the two policemen was totally beyond redemption. That's when the film went to hell.

Save your Money
The best description of this lackluster flick is "HO HuM" Banderas walks around like a lovesick puppy and goes off to Barcelona while his girlfriend gets raped by three thugs and then goes on a shooting spree all over Spain after having kill the three. Thin plot, bad acting and not great English dubbing. I should have been paid for watching it. At least I did get a good nights sleep.

Film worth watching, for Carlos Saura's sake...
Technical screw-ups with DVD aside, this film is OK. It certainly bears lesser artistic value than other films from Carlso Saura. But, it is not worse than some of the rubbish that come outs. It is just, probably, one of those cases, when an artist needed money and so on...

The story is somewhat weak and superficial. I was drawn into it for the first 20-25 minutes. I expected something really interesting to happen. It did not...

It is a story of a young journalist, Banderas, who needs to cover a story [for reasons, I honestly can not remember] about the circus, which came to town.

Naturally, he falls in love with the beautiful horse-riding circus girl.

From that point on, it gest worse...

It turns out that the girl is half-Russian, half-Italian, half-God-knows what else. She is very bright and intelligent, inspite of her being a circus artist [feel the social message here]: she seems to be speaking all the languages she knows at once.

They end up having a little bit of sex [at least on screen], then, she is raped, and then, what?... oh, yeah, she gets revenge and he gets... nothing.

And you are left in an OUTRAGE: Could the plot be any more lame than this? Hardly... ... Read more

Description

This award-winning crime drama reflects Carlos Saura's (Cria!, Peppermint Frappe) move from nonlinear narratives--which meshed fact and fantasy freely--to an almost documentary-like realism.For this fast-paced look at juvenile delinquency in Madrid, the Spanish director recruited nonprofessional actors from the slums.A sensation was caused when two of the film's stars were arrested for separate criminal offenses.In the gritty tale, three young crooks team up with a sharp-shooter waitress who also has an affair with one of the gang.When a robbery turns deadly, their plans for easy money spiral into disaster.An engrossing, non-moralistic vision, Deprisa, Deprisa presents an urban wasteland where drugs and fast cars remain the ultimate achievement. ... Read more