La buena nueva (2008) Poster

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6/10
An upright priest gets in his first assignment to a village during the Spanish Civil War and he attempts to defend villagers
ma-cortes20 April 2015
Intense and dramatic film dealing with Spanish Civil War , including good cast , nice production design , sensitive as well as enjoyable musical score by Angel Illaramendi and acceptable filmmaking by Helena Taberna . It deals with a young priest protagonist named Miguel (Unax Ugalde) arrives in his first mission to a small parish serving a working-class village in the north of Spain in 1936 , Alsasua , Pamplona . He preaches Gospel but is also a witness of the military upheaval that precipitates the Spanish Civil War and , moved by his faith, he stands up to defend townsfolk . From start to finish of the war, the village where the young preacher arrives remains within the area of the Francoist military insubordinates . The loneliness haunting him brings Miguel close to Margari (Barbara Goenaga) , a young schoolteacher, whose hubby (Guillermo Toledo) is the village doctor . She is only support as well as the only aid to offset his real disappointment.

Based on a real story, the film portrays how the young priest commits himself to stand by his parishioners and how he denounces from the pulpit some injustices , he subsequently confronts Falangists , fascists as well as the Catholic Hierarchy . The main actor , Unax Ugalde , gives good acting as a honest priest who soon becomes a top target of repression for being considered as a "red village" and he will risk his own life in the name of Christ . This interesting historical story is a passionate retelling and a touching warlike drama . "La Buena Nueva¨, being adapted by the same director from a story by Andres Martorell . This moving as well as strong story is an emotive recounting and a stirring melodrama , including violence , deaths and executions . This flick has some powerful , rousing images as when a crowded militia filled with Francoists , Falangistas and Carlistas arrives in the village and carry out rampage , firing , shooting and destruction .¨La Buena Nueva¨ results to be other of the uncountable stories to deal with dramatic deeds regarding the Civil War background . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to Spanish Cinema , as the picture gives a deep detail about the upheaval as called ¨Holy Crusade¨ and atrocities being committed by Falangists in behalf of the Francoist army . And some amazing as well as fictitious images when appears a squad of young priests wielding weapons , rifles and with real wishes to go into warlike action . Helena Taberna also writes the script and being filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . The main problem has to face "The Good News" , beyond not being able to avoid falling into the politic pamphlet is precisely derived from the coldness of its staging, which eventually become monotonous over 108 minutes of footage . This is a Spanish enough production and obtained limited success in the Spaniard box office . Excellent main cast forming an enjoyable human group of players and giving excellent interpretations such as Unax Ugalde as honorable priest and Barbara Goenaga as Margari who becomes herself the only shelter in the path of Miguel's helpless fight . Very good support cast playing villagers , Francoists or revolutionaries such as Guillermo ¨Willy¨ Toledo , Klara Baidola , Kandido Uranga , Joseba Apaolaza as bishop and brief acting by singer Loquillo .

Perceptible as well as evocative musical score by Angel Illaramendi , who has composed a lot of successes such as : Son of the bride , Luna De Avellaneda , Luvia en Zapatos , Yoyes , El Celo , Los Borgia , among others . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Gonzalo F. Berridi , Julio Medem's ordinary . He makes a photography with juicy atmosphere , being filmed on location in Alsasua , Pamplona . Cameraman Gonzalo Berridi is deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameramen with a long artistic career . He has photographed hits such as : 8 Apellidos Vascos , Ardilla Roja , Lovers of the arctic circle , Segundo Asalto , El Viaje De Carol and several others . Furthermore , a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence, every space . The motion picture was well produced and being professionally directed by Helena Taberna ; however , the film doesn't work at all and packs sluggish scenes , flaws , gaps and many images reveal nothing . Taberna who was born in Alsasua , Pamplona , directed a series of award-winning movies firmly establishing him as one of the best Spanish filmmaker women . She has shot shorts , documentary : Nagore , Alsausa 1936 , Extranjeras and his most successful picture results to be Yoyes , and she is nowadays filming El Contenido del Silencio .
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8/10
Good movie, good actors... you'll enjoy it
isiltasuna4 December 2008
If you think this is another film about the Spanish Civil War, you are right, anyway you should give a chance, because "La Buena Nueva" is a very good film that captures the reality of the awful situation of the Spanish war in the north of Navarra.

If you aren't from Spain you should know that the Civil War wasn't exactly the same in each autonomous regions.In this case the action takes place in the north of Navarra, bordering the Basque Country. The speak basque and Spanish, and many of the population are "carlistas" (they are very believers (catholics) and want to see Spain as a monarchy, because before the Civil War Spain is a republic and the monarchy is exiled.

Taberna show us that hard situation with real skill: the clergy supporting Franco (the dictator) and going to the battle with the "falangistas" and the "carlistas".

A very good film.
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