Tierra (1996)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Julio Medem

Writer:

Julio Medem (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 April 1997 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Angel, an exterminator recently released from a mental hospital, comes to rid a small Spanish town of tiny grubs in the soil...

Plot Keywords:

Angel | Erotica | Split Personality | Nudity | Wine

Awards:

7 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Carmelo Gómez	...	Ángel Bengoelxeo
Emma Suárez	...	Ángela
Karra Elejalde	...	Patricio
Silke	...	Mari
Nancho Novo	...	Julio
Txema Blasco	...	Tomás
Ane Sánchez	...	Hija de Ángela
Juan José Suárez	...	Manuel
Ricardo Amador	...	Charly
César Vea	...	Miñón (as Cesare Vea)
Pepe Viyuela	...	Ulloa
Alicia Agut	...	Cristina
Miguel Palenzuela	...	Tío de Ángel
Vicente Haro	...	Mayor (as Vicente Haro Marón)
Adelfina Serrano	...	Concha

Also Known As:

Earth (Australia) (International: English title)

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | France:U | Hong Kong:IIB | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Calatayud, Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain

Company:

Lolafilms

Trivia:

'Antonio Banderas' was supposed to play Ángel in the film, but due to schedule problems, director Julio Medem replaced him with Carmelo Gómez

Movie Connections:

References El ángel exterminador (1962)

Soundtrack:

Terra

Understated mood quasi-masterpiece

After seeing "Sex and Lucia" by writer-director Julio Medem, I decided to rent this film and was gratified with one of the best works of international cinema. From the beginning we are fascinated by the world introduced through the main character, an agricultural technician supposedly recently out of a mental hospital. Along the way we get to doubt most everything. We experience a different world that opens up with unexpected violence and repressed longing. The cinematography, production design and performances are extraordinary until the very end, which as with most Julio Medem films happen to be a commercial cop-out of sorts. In the last two minutes, when it all goes in one direction, the writer-director insists in imposing his (overly sentimental) views on his tormented characters and previously constructed world. Rather than let things go towards their ultimate logical consequences and grand finale, it makes for a silly little ending. Still, a must video rent if you want a thought piece with humor and thriller elements.