Having watched and fallen in love with the 2002 Argentinian film Valentine by Alejandro Agresti, and now 2005's Chilean star En la Cama by Matias Bize I'm wondering why it took so long for me to find out about these films?
Hollywood should take some notes from both of these directors who have managed to create what would be named so-called chick flicks in the US while avoiding all the schmaltzy, condescension normally aimed at western woman and found in theaters all over the US.
Both these films have a focus on love and it's human complexity. Valentine focuses on the love between a child and his relatives and how that love, given or denied, shapes the relationships we muddle through the rest of our lives. En la Cama focuses more on the love, or connection, that can be felt between two adults (in this case strangers) and how our actions, normally products of our past history, can potentially change the shape of the future no matter how trapped we may feel.
Brilliantly acted, as an audience I was captivated by these characters' stories and rolled with their emotions. The directors shared their points of view on relationships and how they play out, and yet the endings left the audience to decide for themselves the answers to some of the questions and points raised. I was not spoon fed ideals about life or satisfied with a hollywood ending, and still left the movie feeling fuller and more complete than I have for a long time.
Definitely directors I could learn a lot from and who have a great respect for their audiences. I can't wait to see what else they create. World stand up and watch - South American film has many a great thing to say, and I think the world could use the inspiration.
