Los sobrevivientes (1979)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea

Writers:

Antonio Benítez Rojo (dialogue)
Tomás Gutiérrez Alea (screenplay)

Release Date:

6 January 1979 (Cuba)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Als Fidel Castro in Kuba die Macht übernimmt,zittern die Reichen. Familie Orozco versucht panisch,ihren Besitz zu retten...

Plot Keywords:

1960s | Dinner Scene | Embargo | Basement | Pregnant

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Enrique Santiesteban	...	Sebastián Orozco
Juanita Caldevilla	...	Doña Lola
Germán Pinelli	...	Pascual Orozco
Ana Viña	...	Fina Orozco
Reynaldo Miravalles	...	Vicente Cuervo
Vicente Revuelta	...	Julio Orozco
Leonor Borrero	...	Cuca
Carlos Ruiz de la Tejera	...	Manuel Orozco
Yael Teruel	...	Finita Orozco - niña
Lili Rentería	...	Finita Orozco (as Ana Lillian Renteria)
Francisco Puentes	...	Julio Orozco - niño
Patricio Wood	...	Julio Orozco
Antonio Cortés	...	Bartolomé Orozco - niño
Jorge Alí	...	Bartolomé Orozco (as Jorge Félix Ali)
Manolito Angueira	...	Sebastiancillo Orozco

Also Known As:

The Survivors

Runtime:

130 min | 112 min (video version)

Country:

Cuba

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color | Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Cuba

Company:

Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industrias Cinematográficos (ICAIC)

Excellent little unknown chiller!

I had been trying to find out the title of a creepy film I caught on TV late at night, more than 15 years back (it was broadcast on Doordarshan channel from India). Having stumped even the experts on IMDb Message Boards, I had all but given up hope of finding out, when fate finally decided to take pity on me. Today I've finally tracked down the film whose images have been haunting me since the late 1980s.

The film is about an aristocratic/bourgeosie family living in the countryside in a mansion surrounded by their plantations. One morning the family wakes up to discover that all their slaves and servants have run off, having endured much cruelty and arrogance at the hands of the family. The elders decide that they won't go anywhere for help, and will work on their own lands. Of course, having no experience they soon run out of food. Meanwhile, tensions and jealousy between the family members mounts, culminating in murder. But, as they soon realize in desperation, murder can be helpful in survival...

This is a brilliant (if somewhat morbid) drama/black comedy, directed with assured style, and vividly acted. The final few minutes a text-book example of perfection in minimalism, and are guaranteed to have chills running up your spine. I just wish someone would release this masterpiece on DVD soon. Hell, I would even be thankful for a VHS copy.

my rating: 9/10