Childhood is very photogenic because children are missed monsters. Every adults regret not being anymore these little creatures. Ana's eyes are two beautiful and sad Proust madeleines soaked in the past.
In The Spirit of the Beehive, I was completely taken by the soulful Ana Torrent. In Cría Cuervos, the child actress plays much the same role - a little girl trying to come to terms with death - and although Beehive's director Víctor Erice is more lyrical than Cría Cuervos', Carlos Saura still has his moments. The only decision I question is to have an adult Ana sometimes narrate the story. In a film where so much is left unspoken and unexplained, this device, while not without interest, feels unnecessary. But the world of memory is certainly at the center of this tale, as Ana walks through parts of her past, memories coming alive without warning, as if ghostly apparitions (indeed, she comforts herself by imagining her mother's ghost). She isn't the only dealing with grief - her relationship with her two sisters is often quite sweet - but it's her we want to watch as she takes control of her world, and presumes to decide who lives, dies, and is resurrected. But as with most stolen season stories, the summer must end, and the power of her imagination must eventually be broken. A well-observed drama, with a haunting (and well-used) score.
Tells the story of a little girl reacting to the death of her parents by mixing reality with fantasy. Beautiful and touching but also depressing, as the depressed character of the child rubs off on you.
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nicolaskrizan
quoth the raven nevermorehttp://1001movies.posterous.com/938
Limbesdautomne
Childhood is very photogenic because children are missed monsters. Every adults regret not being anymore these little creatures. Ana's eyes are two beautiful and sad Proust madeleines soaked in the past.Read more in French on La Saveur des goûts amers.
coffeejazzlofi
(comment removed by mod, please post in English)jarmel
Excellent!Siskoid
In The Spirit of the Beehive, I was completely taken by the soulful Ana Torrent. In Cría Cuervos, the child actress plays much the same role - a little girl trying to come to terms with death - and although Beehive's director Víctor Erice is more lyrical than Cría Cuervos', Carlos Saura still has his moments. The only decision I question is to have an adult Ana sometimes narrate the story. In a film where so much is left unspoken and unexplained, this device, while not without interest, feels unnecessary. But the world of memory is certainly at the center of this tale, as Ana walks through parts of her past, memories coming alive without warning, as if ghostly apparitions (indeed, she comforts herself by imagining her mother's ghost). She isn't the only dealing with grief - her relationship with her two sisters is often quite sweet - but it's her we want to watch as she takes control of her world, and presumes to decide who lives, dies, and is resurrected. But as with most stolen season stories, the summer must end, and the power of her imagination must eventually be broken. A well-observed drama, with a haunting (and well-used) score.Windill
Tells the story of a little girl reacting to the death of her parents by mixing reality with fantasy. Beautiful and touching but also depressing, as the depressed character of the child rubs off on you.Shingwauk
The actor that played Ana was natural and oh so melancholy. How she was able to keep that beautiful little face so sad throughout was amazing.Joculator
Nice song.Rdgz_Dust_Speck
Brilliant movie. The girls act excellent, and the musical connection with the film is amazing.flaiky
Masterful film. Deeply moving and just unforgettable, one of the best I've seen.