Bwana (1996)

Antonio, a taxi driver, his wife, and two chidren arrive one fine afternoon at a solitary beach, looking for sea-shells. However, they will find more than expected: namely, Ombasi and Yambo... See full summary »

Director:

Imanol Uribe

Writers:

Ignacio del Moral (play), Francisco Pino,

Stars:

Andrés Pajares, María Barranco, Emilio Buale

6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Andrés Pajares	...	Antonio
María Barranco	...	Dori
Emilio Buale	...	Ombasi
Alejandro Martínez	...	Iván
Andrea Granero	...	Jessy
Miguel del Arco	...	Román
Paul Berrondo	...	Michael
César Vea	...	Joaquín
José Quero	...	Pepe
Rafael Yuste	...	Rafa
Santiago Nang	...	Yambo
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patricia López Schlichting	...	Uta

Storyline

Antonio, a taxi driver, his wife, and two chidren arrive one fine afternoon at a solitary beach, looking for sea-shells. However, they will find more than expected: namely, Ombasi and Yambo, two illegal African immigrants, apparently thrown back to the ocean from where they came, in search of a better life in Spain. The sun sets, and the evening, night and morning which follow see other bizarre characters entering the scene, before the Africans' and the other characters' fates are finally decided.

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Plot Keywords:

beach | family relationships | illegal immigrant | based on play

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

27 September 1996 (Spain)

Filming Locations:

Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aurum, Creativos Asociados de Radio y Televisión (CARTEL), Origen Producciones Cinematograficas S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Are the Spanish really like that?

I don't know much about the Spanish mentality and the blackest depths of Spanish souls. This movie seems to be an (unusual) account of these. I don't think the characters are completely made up by the screenwriters, only to construct a shocking story about racism. There are drunken criminals and violent skinheads in the movie - figures often appearing in films; all right. But the fact that Antonio and his family represent the ordinary lower class Spanish family with all their attitudes and manners really shocked me. The way director Uribe paints his main characters is really, really cruel. I do hope it's exaggerated.

Above all, this is an excellent movie. It creates a not customary tension most of the time and mixes irony with tragedy. The photographer also did great work and caught beautiful shots of the picturesque landscape which seems a little artificial - well, dunes always do. Only the dialogues between the family members are a bit unrealistic but I mentioned that already.

I gave this movie 8 stars out of 10 and if you ever spot it anywhere, watch it until the end because the final scenes are especially well-done. It's a small, great movie.