The idea of having Sergi Lopez and Eduardo Noriega together in one picture, proved to be the only reason we had recorded this film when it showed on the schedule of a cable channel. Little did we anticipate its director was Catalonian director Marc Recha, whose two previous films we had seen when they were shown as part as the Walter Reade's Spanish film cycles.
The film is perhaps his most comprehensive we have seen. The director shows an affinity to Iranian filmmakers, in the tradition of telling stories in an obscure way and its 90 minutes running time seem like an eternity. Mr. Recha loves to photograph things like walls, a river running its course as part of the narrative, something that does not add anything to what he is trying to tell the viewer.
That said, the best merit in "Petit Indi" is the performance of Marc Soto who makes Arnau interesting. This young man seems to be a natural and he should choose carefully what direction to take in his future film endeavors. In fact, he is the whole picture.
Arnau has been dealt a blow from everyone. His mother is serving time in prison. He appears to be a burden on the poor relatives he lives with, getting menial jobs to pay for his keep. His passion is the birds he loves. His uncle Ramon is a bad influence that turns him into gambling at the dog races. In that setting he is pick pocketed as he is trying to place a bet. To make matters worse, he has decided to sell his prized songbird, but unfortunately fate intervenes.
Sergi Lopez and Eduardo Noriega, alas, have nothing to do in the film. The beginning and the end pf "Petit Indi" show some interesting animations that have no bearing in the film.
The film is perhaps his most comprehensive we have seen. The director shows an affinity to Iranian filmmakers, in the tradition of telling stories in an obscure way and its 90 minutes running time seem like an eternity. Mr. Recha loves to photograph things like walls, a river running its course as part of the narrative, something that does not add anything to what he is trying to tell the viewer.
That said, the best merit in "Petit Indi" is the performance of Marc Soto who makes Arnau interesting. This young man seems to be a natural and he should choose carefully what direction to take in his future film endeavors. In fact, he is the whole picture.
Arnau has been dealt a blow from everyone. His mother is serving time in prison. He appears to be a burden on the poor relatives he lives with, getting menial jobs to pay for his keep. His passion is the birds he loves. His uncle Ramon is a bad influence that turns him into gambling at the dog races. In that setting he is pick pocketed as he is trying to place a bet. To make matters worse, he has decided to sell his prized songbird, but unfortunately fate intervenes.
Sergi Lopez and Eduardo Noriega, alas, have nothing to do in the film. The beginning and the end pf "Petit Indi" show some interesting animations that have no bearing in the film.
