chiendalou Reviews

The World According to Amazon (2019 TV Movie)

An old school documentary. Priority to Facts.

[8/10 · 19 December 2019]

We are at a time when research documentaries have lost ground in front of docu-reality. Many documentaries have turn preferentially to try to influence viewers sentimentally through stories with which they can empathize. I do not say that this is bad, but I feel somewhat manipulated, because I did not think that this way of filming could be defined as a research documentary. Anyway, I have finished accepting these kind of stories that basically appeal to feelings.

And then it comes a documentary like this. This is an analysis of the Bezos method of building, establishing and promoting a type of company that goes far beyond what ordinary consumers can nowadays imagine. We are immediately involved in a plot whose protagonists are research and researchers, demonstrable facts, and the multiple consequences that this production and distribution model is causing, from a multifactorial point of view. We will see how important Mr. Bezos' training on the stock market has influenced Amazon's vision of future. This new way of approaching the concept of monopoly. The difficulties of entering all markets. The legal (and even spiritual) differences between America and Europe in this way of working and expanding. The verifiable consequences for the labor market where Amazon has a dominant position. And the phenomenon of gentrification caused in the city of Seattle. A frantic journey.

A documentary like this could be a starting point for others to investigate the various implications of these changes in World trading. If they are inspired by the same love for the facts.

Strongly recommended

Addendum: This documentary is a must to understand where are we going at present. Will this work? Will be difficulties that in the present moment we are unable to imagine? It always happen when we relate to a such raging subject. A work to mark and to realize what happened actually. In the future.

Kleine Germanen - Eine Kindheit in der rechten Szene (2019)

Just a warning in case you see this documentary on TV

[7/10 · 19 November 2019]

Be sure you see the full version. In some broadcasts a shortened version of 54 minutes is offered and you'll miss the whole a lot.

Burnt Skin (1967)

Burnt Skin

[8/10 · 3 May 2016]

This movie is from 1967, but it could be done nowadays.

Yes, it is a film whose universal theme does not go out of fashion; the facts we see in it are occurring now in several places around the world. The film could be presented perfectly to any current independent film festival (and win) both for the subject matter and the aesthetics used in it.

José emigrates from their land, the Andalusian countryside, constrained by the lack of work, to Catalonia (Lloret de Mar), where the new international tourism has begun to leave traces in the territory as massive constructions of touristic apartments. Its aim is to get job and accommodation there to bring his wife Juana and their children to live with him. We assist to her long trip to the unknown land and, at the same time, to the new life experiences he has in this new world.

Aesthetically it's almost considered a neorealist film, but I can't avoid to see the imprint of the European contemporary cinema born with the nouvelle-vague. This mixture of styles, in a truly glorious 67's black and white, also contributes to making this a timeless movie.

The issue of internal migration in Spain also had a very good treatment in the best known "Surcos" (1951) ("Furrows" - international English name), with which it is sometimes compared to. It is very different, actually. The 1951 film is realistic stylistically, and narratively belongs to the time it was shot (there is no forgiveness for those who have done wrong, for example). "Burnt Skin" features several conflicts that happen as in life, without dramatic continuity, without a moral message.

Although the film is known and it's often included in lists of the best Spanish cinema, and has been featured too in film retrospectives outside Spain, I still think that this is a pearl that has not been appreciated enough as it deserves in Cinema, both in Spain or abroad. Being a movie about to turn 50, it should be more widely known.

The Corpse of Anna Fritz (2015)

Frailty of Corpses

[6/10 · 14 March 2016]

Some movies have big spoilers in their own titles, basic plots or trailers. There, you have clues of what production team want you to know. I'll try not to go further.

We are introduced in the very beginning (by journalists' fragmented threads on voice-over) to Anna Fritz persona and we are get to know that she is a worshiped celebrity. Her death is where it all begins.

Then we are taken to the point of view of three curious guys that want to see her for the first and last time. What I can say it's not a good idea.

This movie have some violent scenes. If you are more or less sensible to 'moral terror', despite the comments of the toughest viewers, I think you will suffer.

From one specific moment, the story they are about to tell us, could perfectly fit in horror genre, but it clearly follows the way to a claustrophobic crime flick.

The cast is good, especially for the pretty Alba Ribas who plays Anna Fritz (in some shots she looks a little like Chloë Sevigny). The characters are made for the plot, so don't expect a great character developing (runtime being 76', it's not possible in an action centered movie). The pace is fast, and it works. No place for being bored. Give it a chance!

So from now on, it seems we have more reasons to be afraid of dying!

Hemorrhage (2012)

Good movie

[7/10 · 4 March 2016]

When people complain that there is a lack of ideas, especially when it comes to horror movies, maybe they would do well not seeking among the blockbusters. Maybe they should better looking for independent directors and screenwriters, able to build different stories, that would not even be considered by the major studios.

This is a film that replaces a big budget for the love of a personal project and thoroughness in all elements that are under the creative control. Cinematography, editing, good choice of where music should go, excellent performances of the main characters in his journey to nowhere. And it works.

It is not a perfect film, needless to say, it will not like you if you are one of those that want everything to have a logical explanation, that's because we are dealing with sick characters with very personal motivations. You'll like if you usually empathize with difficult people, and prefer psychological terror.

Give it a chance and give it to yourself. And do justice to pull this film off so unfair disregard.