I agree that it's a little difficult to discern the fiction here, but this movie is a comedy. It is shot in the documentary style, and packaged as such, but you don't have to be a complete cynic to realize that Bunuel is having fun with you. The goat that is shown "falling" off the cliff should be a little odd considering that on the side of the frame there is smoke coming from a gun that was used to shoot it to make it "trip". The voice-over narration that tells us of the children with unkempt looks and no shoes coincides with shot of kids with neatly parted hair and shoes walking to school. They don't look that badly off to me. These people don't exist in reality. They are fictional subjects of a mock-umentary. This movie is hilarious when looked at correctly! The reviewer who was amazed that these people didn't die out because they were shown passing away so often tripped over his own ideas. That's the point! It just doesn't make sense. Re-watch this film and enjoy it.
Review of Las Hurdes
