Some Spanish drama of the early twentieth century tended to present stories based on the heartland. That is the case with most of the work of Federico Garcia Lorca, perhaps the best playwright and poet of modern Spain. The rural settings involved situations in which the love for the land was a strong feeling that caused most confrontations, eliciting revenge, as the passions were out for everyone to see.
Carlos Saura, a noted director, tried his hand with the screenplay Ray Loriga created based on a real incident in the 1990s in the country side. It involved the feud between two clans that only brought tragedy to their own impoverished lives. Mr. Saura, who started his film career working under the Franco dictatorship, always got away with the contents of the tales he presented by making parables that had strong messages that audiences interpreted as they saw the hiding meanings.
Johana Cobo, who was seen as Penelope Cruz's daughter in Almodovar's "Volver" plays Isabel, and through her eyes we get to know about the story. Victoria Abril who always plays more sophisticated roles appears as Luciana the wronged girl who is left with her wedding gown as a souvenir of the love she felt for the boy from the opposite clan. Jose Diaz and Eulalia Ramon bring dignity to their take of the Fuentes. Juan Diego makes an intense Antonio.
Francois Lartigue captures the essence of the life in that part of Spain during the summer. We also enjoyed Roque Banos musical score. Carlos Saura, whose last films concentrated mainly on dance, returns in excellent form for this gripping account of a real shocking tragedy.
Carlos Saura, a noted director, tried his hand with the screenplay Ray Loriga created based on a real incident in the 1990s in the country side. It involved the feud between two clans that only brought tragedy to their own impoverished lives. Mr. Saura, who started his film career working under the Franco dictatorship, always got away with the contents of the tales he presented by making parables that had strong messages that audiences interpreted as they saw the hiding meanings.
Johana Cobo, who was seen as Penelope Cruz's daughter in Almodovar's "Volver" plays Isabel, and through her eyes we get to know about the story. Victoria Abril who always plays more sophisticated roles appears as Luciana the wronged girl who is left with her wedding gown as a souvenir of the love she felt for the boy from the opposite clan. Jose Diaz and Eulalia Ramon bring dignity to their take of the Fuentes. Juan Diego makes an intense Antonio.
Francois Lartigue captures the essence of the life in that part of Spain during the summer. We also enjoyed Roque Banos musical score. Carlos Saura, whose last films concentrated mainly on dance, returns in excellent form for this gripping account of a real shocking tragedy.