This is the sixth movie that i share with an old colleague. We chose this one because he wanted to go to an old theater and not the modern multiplex. The projection room was indeed small as well as the audience (maybe ten people) but the documentary was rather good.
In fact, it's a filmmaking lesson because it's about shooting with nothing: here, there is no story, no narration, no voice-overs, almost no speeches, no music. The director knows only two camera position: wide shoot, still, with no movement and extreme close-up. The latter is good with the natural locations because it's almost a painting and unlike actual movies, you can take time to discover. The former is playful because as it's very close, everything becomes abstract and you have to wonder what happens.
This very limited directing is uses to shoot a very limited study as well as this tiny man lives a highly isolated life in a bare hut surrounded by huge woods and meadows, thus my alternative title, "el soltero" (=bachelor). As i am of this kind also, i noticed all his very methodical gestures like all people who live alone do. It's also a kind of western, because this man has to deal with wild animals as well, thus my second title, "el potro" (=stallion). Those animals have indeed a natural but short life indeed!
In a way, this man was a bit scary because he could live without technology, news or any relationships except his fellow keepers.
And above all, his job was a lot useless and crazy because he was there to watch a land that was the same day after day. He was looking after a fence that was seen by nobody. At least, he made one with nature and it was very relaxing to watch this virgin landscape. It's the first time in a movie that i could actually see the clouds shadow on the grass and the changing light as they come. It was also funny to see that the camera did exactly the same shot that i took this summer while laid on a bench: the amazing tunnel of leafs when you watch them from beneath.
In conclusion, it's a Zen movie, peaceful, down to earth when man is more a part of nature than his master. And you are free to bring all the input you can imagine. In a way, it was very close to a Lynch movie.