The Violin (2005)
"El violin" (original title)

In an unnamed Latin American country that closely resembles Mexico, the government fights a rural insurgency with torture, assault, rape, and murder. Soldiers descend on a town, cutting off... See full summary »

Director:

Francisco Vargas

Writer:

Francisco Vargas

Stars:

Ángel Tavira, Gerardo Taracena, Dagoberto Gama

27 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ángel Tavira	...	Don Plutarco
Gerardo Taracena	...	Genaro
Dagoberto Gama	...	Capitán
Mario Garibaldi	...	Lucio
Fermín Martínez	...	Teniente
Silverio Palacios	...	Comandante Cayetano
Octavio Castro	...	Zacarías
Mercedes Hernández	...	Jacinta
Gerardo Juárez	...	Pedro
Ángeles Cruz	...	Jefa Guerrilera 1
Norma Pablo	...	Jefa Guerrilllera 2
Ariel Galvan	...	Joaquín
Amorita Rasgado	...	Prostitutas
María Elena Olivares	...	Doña Lupe
Esteban Castellanos	...	Manuel

Storyline

In an unnamed Latin American country that closely resembles Mexico, the government fights a rural insurgency with torture, assault, rape, and murder. Soldiers descend on a town, cutting off the rebels from their cache of ammunition hidden in a field. A family of grandfather, son, and grandson are among the rebels in the hills. The grandfather, with his violin over his shoulder, tries to pass the checkpoint, ostensibly to tend his corn crop. The commanding officer lets him pass but insists on a daily music lesson. Can the old man ferry out the ammunition in his violin case under the soldiers' nose?

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Plot Keywords:

violin | rebel | ammunition | soldier | assault | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

27 April 2007 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The Violin

Filming Locations:

Rancho San Isidro, Ixtapaluca, Estado de México, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,647 (USA) (7 December 2007)

Gross:

$65,298 (USA) (9 May 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Camara Carnal, Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC), Fidecine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ángel Tavira won the best actor award in the Cannes Film Festival

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Goofs

The ribbon the old man used to attach his bow to his bandaged hand distractingly changed color a couple of times between shots while he was at the army post.

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Quotes

Don Plutarco: The music is over.

User Reviews

Viva La Cinema, Mexicana

My hat's off to this little,but powerful film from Mexico. 'El Violin' (or as it's being called in it's U.S. release,'The Violin')is a powerful political potboiler about an unnamed Latin American village, being bullied by government troops (sound only too familiar?),against an elderly musician,minus one hand, who still manages to play violin by tying the bow to the stump of his missing hand. This film is being compared to Ken Loach's 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley', but reminds me more of certain unpleasant events that took place in Central America back in the 1980's (does El Salvador strike a familiar chord?). The film is shot in black & white, giving it a look that may remind you of some of the classic Italian dramas (post realist) of post WWII (hint: DeSica's 'Bitter Grapes'). Although the film was completed in 2005, it is just now getting something resembling distribution. A film that is well worth seeking out.