La león (2007)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Santiago Otheguy

Writers:

Santiago Otheguy (screenplay)
Santiago Otheguy (story)

Release Date:

10 October 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Male Nudity | Ferry Boat | Murder | Homosexual | Gay Sex

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jorge Román	...	Alvaro
Daniel Valenzuela	...	El Turu
José Muñoz	...	Iribarren
Juan Carlos Rivas	...	Misionero 2
Mirta Duran Rivas	...	Mujer misionera
Esteban Gonzalez	...	Hermano misionero 1
Alfredo Rivas	...	Hermano misionero 2
Alberto Rivas	...	Hermano misionero 3
Mirta Rivas	...	Hermana Misionera
Lorena Rivas	...	Nina misionera
Aida Merel	...	Bibliotecaria
Diego Quiroz	...	Marinaro Julio
Mariano González	...	Joven del Yate
Marcos Woinsky	...	El Alemán
Jimena Cavaco	...	Laura

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

Argentina | France

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina

Company:

Onyx Films

"Waterlogged" in Black&White...........

I suppose if one has the sensibilities of an upriver, up-jungle Argentinean, this film might be interesting. But, someone like myself----raised in US culture----will likely not find it so. Primarily a work of pastoral, jungle river scenes and little dialogue, you won't find much in the way of action. And if you're a fan of the gay film genre, you'll find little of "that action" here (and what there is, lighting makes hard to see). Probably you will have to be, or "think" you are, an aesthete if you are going to enjoy this movie (and perhaps playing to that trait explains the reasoning behind the use of all-Black&White photography).

Maybe in Argentina this film might be "ground breaking" (DVD back cover "speak"), but in this country there are many of us it will not speak to. Like many third-world and near third-world produced movies, their directors / writers think they're producing something of real substance and interest. Unfortunately, in almost all cases, outside the boundaries of those locations, that is not the case at all----even though US gay video production companies releasing these films would have you think otherwise.

Providing me nothing new in its glimpses into human behavior, this DVD is a "toss away" for me, but..........if you see enough of yourself in this lead character's demeanor, it may be a "keeper" for you.