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*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Though if I had the option to vote 9.5 instead of 10 I would, Bruce Baillie's film is still quite amazing. "Valentin de las Sierras" though only about 10 minutes long is the kind of film which lingers in your mind, growing and achieving dimensions that weren't even hinted at while it remained on screen. I had the good fortune of watching "Valentin de las Sierras" in a 16mm print during one of my college film class' screenings and so was able to enjoy it in what I believe is its original format, projected on a full size theater screen along with full theater sound. From the moment it started, and the old, weathered man began to play his guitar, singing a gorgeous folk song, I knew that this was going to be good. The attention to color in this film is striking, the film's palette shines out at its audience so as we see shot after shot of extreme close-ups of wholesome images of rural life it feels quite palpable. Personally I view this film as a kind of protest against the fast-pace life of the city, a retreat to a simpler time, but you can make your own opinions I'm sure. The hauntingly beautiful images of rural/farm life which "Valentin de las Sierras" gives us are enough reason to see this film, with the added pleasure of hearing the Mexican folk song which the old man plays this movie is a must see if you can get your hands on it. Play it for a bunch of MTV overloaded teens and get them to slow down a bit, this is a music video with a message. Also worth seeing if you liked this is another of Baillie's music centered pieces of meditation, "All My Life."
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