Los viajes del viento (2009) User Reviews

Not the tourists' Colombia

[Red-125 · 8/10 · 14 July 2010]

Los viajes del viento (2009), shown in the U.S. as The Wind Journeys, was written and directed by Ciro Guerra.

This movie was fascinating to me because it opened up windows to a culture and a music with which I'm not familiar. The setting is rural northeastern Colombia, and the music is vallenato, in which the primary instrument is the accordion.

Los viajes is basically a road movie. The story is that a young man follows an older vallenato master as he wanders through rural Colombia, attempting to return an accordion which has mystical properties.

The plot consists of the people they meet, and the experiences they encounter on the journey.

Being unfamiliar with the region and its music, I can't comment on how accurately these are portrayed. The relationship between the man and the boy certainly doesn't conform to the feel-good connection that would surely develop in a U.S. film. Also, the entire movie is more like fantasy than realistic fiction or documentary. However, I admit that people from the region could say, "Actually, that's the way it is."

This is an unusual and fascinating movie, and definitely worth seeing. It will work better on a large screen than a small one, but it will be worth seeking out in either format. (We saw it at the Rochester 360-365 film festival which, despite its ridiculous name, is an excellent event.)

Beautiful Lyrical Filmmaking

[zacknabo · 8/10 · 30 September 2016]

Road-movie, coming-of-age tale…check and check, but do not be mislead by these general film genre titles and the formulaic tropes that they often carry. Ciro Guerra's award-winning feature debut is much more. (By the way he was 27 years old when he filmed it). In a small village in Colombia, Ignacio (Marciano Martinez), a troubadour, has just lost his wife. In grief and in somewhat of an existential panic Ignacio sets out on a journey to return his unique accordion, known as "The Devil's Accordion," to his master Guerra who bestowed it upon him. The legend of the accordion and the mystical aura surrounding the existence of Master Guerra gives the film a powerful mystical undertone. Ignacio, on mule, soon discovers he is not alone on his journey, but finds a zestful teenager Fermin (Nunez) in tow. The dynamics of their relationship is to be expected: optimism vs. pessimism, willing student vs. reluctant mentor, a young man's passion for life vs. an older man exhausted by life, yet these simple tropes never comes off as tired and overly predictable. The Wind Journeys has a poignant intellectual life, confidently mixing humor and sadness, the air of the ethereal with the coarse naturalness of everyday life.

The true artistic and intellectual revelations of the film come from its aural and visual explosions. As can be seen and heard in the final sequence, the wind carries the music and the music the wind, as both roar audibly intertwined over beautiful shots of various landscapes of Colombia. The music is what drives the characters from stop to stop along the journey. "I don't play the accordion, it plays me," as Ignacio tells his young companion. Guerra has created pure filmic poetry through the characters discovering, rediscovering and embracing various cultural sights and sounds: like the intense, beautiful scene with one tribe's drumming initiation ceremony, where if you pass the test on the drums the players' hands are covered in the blood of a lizard.

The cinematography is gorgeous and as the film progresses the crane shots overlooking the majestic pastoral landscapes and the quiet roaming shots of something as simple as the wind blowing the vibrant, tall green grass on a hillside functions in almost a Terrence Mallick sense. The camera-work only helps to heighten the spiritual and mystic undertones, which Guerra strikes a perfect balance with; not allowing the story or the visual scope to bend too far into the land of magic-realism. Everything Mr. Guerra does is balanced: emotional with mundane, mystic with the natural. The natural but existential quandaries of the characters and how they relate to one another and how they relate to the ebbs and flows of the overflowing cultural magnificence of the world in which they are passing through makes for truly refined and sublime filmmaking.

Great Representation of Colombia

[irod2000 · 6/10 · 21 March 2011]

I'm a frequent visitor to Colombian's northern coast and this film shows this region very well.

By the film's title and subject, I was not expecting an action film, I knew it would move slow. Maybe because of my low expectations I found this film truly wonderful! The film shows the great variety of the region and its people. The different languages and accents. The mountain and river scenes were great. The regions of Magdalena, César and Guajira are beautifully depicted.

The story was good enough for me. I liked the questions that are left unanswered. But clearly, for me, the scenery more than carried this film.

One of the greatest (if not greatest) Colombian film

[msantamaria86 · 10/10 · 31 July 2009]

Im going to begin by saying I'm a Colombian and this is my first review on this site, so be a little patient. Been a Colombian I'm totally used to national directors taking the mediocre path of doing a drug inspired movie, probably trying to rely on the (colombia = drugs premise). This movie has nothing to do with that.

The whole plot may seem kinda weak, (an accordion player trying to take 1 instrument back to his former mentor by riding a mule trough a big chunk of the Colombian coast regions alongside a teenager who wants to learn how to play from him); but the whole movie moves in such an amazing way that you sometimes forget about the plot just to focus in the way they depict the environments and the traditions linked to them.

Im from Bogotá (capital), so i didn't grow up surrounded by the "vallenato" culture, but this movie manages to show the entire culture from the Colombian coast based not only on the accordion, but also the "caja" and "guacharaca" in such a beautiful and complete way that you cant help but feel amazed at it.

The photography is marvelous, some scenes clearly try to focus on the amazing land sights of the Colombian coast, the acting is way better than i originally supposed, none of the actors are really known in the Colombian "jet-set", but still manage to be totally realistic and make their acting truthful to their characters. (even despite the fact that only a few of our actors are good IMO). I don't really see any flaws on this film, if all Colombian films were like this (not focusing exclusively on drugs), the whole world may have a different view on us.

I really recommend this movie, i totally loved it, and I'm still surprised by the way Ciro Guerra shows the accordion culture in such depth without feeling forced.

A beautiful musical journey through the Northern Colombian Coast landscape

[greatdeceivah · 29 November 2017]

There is nothing new about Ciro Guerra's plot for his second film "Los Viajes del Viento (The Wind Journeys)" Most of us have seen this story many times before, a variation of Joseph Campbell's The Heroes' Journey. Story-wise, a few movies come to mind: Crossroads, the Matrix, and many more.

You could even say that this movie also provides a basis for what was to be Guerra's next film, the highly recommended and Oscar-nominated "The Serpents Embrace", another variation of the Hero's Journey across the amazonian landscape.

The true innovation about this movie is that it takes place in a geography never seen before in a movie: The stunning North Atlantic Coast Colombian landscape, and that it covers the many ethnicities and music that habit such landscape. Another interesting twist in the story is that it takes place in the past and it covers some local historical events, like the 1st Vallenato Festival in 1968. providing the viewer with the origins and history of what was to become "modern" vallenato.

SPOILER For those who do not understand the end of the story, here it is in a nutshell: The protagonist starts a journey to return his accordion to the person who gave it to him and taught him how to play it; after his wife passes away, so he can stop playing music and move on with his life. Once the protagonist completes his journey, he finds his master has died while waiting for his return, but he basically left him his home, wife and children, the family he never had, but always wanted. This is why we see the hero's companion return alone through the desert to his home.

It was a long journey indeed

[jjedif · 7/10 · 19 December 2010]

I expected to see a journey across Colombia's diverse geographical and cultural landscapes...and I was not disappointed. And as a second-language Spanish learner, I wanted to hear authentic Colombian Spanish...and I did. In fact, "The Wind Journeys" is a very well filmed journey across Colombia; I could see it winning an award for best cinematography. But the story about the current owner of the devil's accordion who, after the death of his wife vows to never play again, embarks on a journey to return the instrument to its rightful owner, including the ending, just didn't click for me.

Perhaps the times they are a changing, or maybe I've changed. I think in the 1980s, when I was 30 years younger, full of enthusiasm to travel the world and learn about exotic cultures, reading novels by García Márquez and more hopeful about life in general, I would have liked "The Wind Journeys" a lot more, or I would have just enjoyed watching it without caring if I bought the premise.

The premise of "The Wind Journeys" isn't as ridiculous as that of "Central Station" (another beautifully filmed and culturally-interesting story but which is based on a ludicrous premise). Yet even without the ongoing violence of the drug lords or the 40+ years of the ongoing FARC rebellion simmering in the background, the Colombia we see in "The Wind Journeys" is a violent, cruel, macho place where it's hard for me to have sympathy for anyone...because what good would that do? In spite of the great filming technique, this is not the Colombia of magical realism, this is the Colombia where a bit of hope swims hopelessly in a sea of hopelessness.

Mark Twain wrote that readers of romantic novels should love the good people, hate the bad people, and always be able to tell the two apart. I guess the two protagonists are the "good" guys in a world of "bad" guys, but I just didn't find myself caring deeply about their fates. Having said that, I would recommend this film for my hardcore Southamericanophile friends who want to see the wondrous and horrible beauty of Colombia. But I'm glad I didn't make my wife go with me to see this film at our local art-house theatre. In fact, I may go out and rent "La triste e increíble historia de la cándida Eréndira y su abuela desalmada" to cheer myself up, or maybe I'll put on my favorite Carlos Vives CD. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

Brilliant for what it reveals, Genius for what it conceals: Like Life itself.

[sam-rob-a · 10/10 · 13 June 2011]

"Los Viajes del Viento" is more than just a typical road story. It is a quest for an unknown world, one which neither protagonist understands well, but somehow are compelled to discover. Whatever the original reasoning for each to take on the journey, the end point is surprising for both characters, and opens the doors to new beginnings. This is a truly remarkable, unique film which deserves (and may indeed need) to be watched more than once.

*The following may contain spoilers... please read only as discussion after watching.

Though the quest may seem incomprehensible on the surface, Guerra offers valuable clues in the film, particularly musical: the only melody that Fermín is able to "sort" of play on the horned accordion. He hammers it twice, getting himself into trouble (first when Ignacio is sleeping, who then wakes up and scolds the boy, and then with the Marimbero crew, where Fermín almost gets himself killed when attempting to recover the two-liner). Finally, at the foot of his Master's coffin, Ignacio plays this same song after reading the posthumous note from Maestro Guerra. It becomes the most powerful message from Ignacio to the eager Fermín, about what living on the road is truly like, and the toll it takes on the troubadour's emotional life.

This brings about the first truly emotional reaction from Fermín that is not anger or frustration. What does this young boy feel, when he hears this melody, close to his heart, played so beautifully, at that particular time? Yes, there are unanswered questions, but a very sensitive Ciro Guerra has left us valuable clues which are immersed in the music, and also in the matrix of cultural references which appear throughout. Pay close attention to all of the characters who don't speak in the film. Much is communicated by their timely appearance, and the music which is played/sung when they walk into this life-changing journey.

Indeed, do not watch this film expecting usual Hollywood feel-good endings, hearty relationships between the characters, or all answers to be revealed point-blank. You will get none of that. Ciro Guerra has opened a path for Criollo filmmakers which had been largely unexplored.

The film is brilliant in what it reveals, but genius in all it conceals: like life itself.

Well done, we expect much more from Ciro in the future.

Drifting with the wind

[p-stepien · 6/10 · 17 October 2011]

After the death of his wife a elder accordion maestro Ignacio Carrillo (Marciano Martínez) decides that time has come to part with his profession. The dispirited musician therefore undertakes a long journey throughout Colombia to return the devil's accordion to his teacher - only than will he be able to lift the curse, which forces his life to be filled with music. On leaving the village he is joined by a young boy Fermin (Yull Núñez), who wishes to be taught in the arts of the accordion and return home with a new found fame.

More like a fable (devoid however of magic or mythical creatures), than a typical feature, the film slips us through many exquisite locations as we follow the two heroes. The majestic background acts like a supporting character in the story, where it creates a mood and also is the counterpoint for the grim mysterious finale. Full with odd and quirky events and persons we also get to catch a glimpse of a different world, not centred around Western culture, but on very local traditions. This is mostly done without the use of words, but through situations punctuated by songs. Its important to note that although the movie permeates with music their is none in the background - all songs are played by the characters, whilst without them their is only the silence of nature.

The plot as it is is scarce, but it needs to be underlined that the story, built around music and concepts of destiny, is well told and needs no add-ons to punctuate the story, which does need to be deciphered to be fully understood. My take on it is as follows: As Ignacio struggles to end his addiction to music and all the hardships it has caused (endless journeys, roadside lovers and concurrent children) he is faced with a youthful Fermin, who wishes to take on the same path. Ignacio is driven by no ulterior goal or love of music. He simply can not stop playing, can not live without his instrument, but at the same time only money seems to motivate him to continue playing the accordion - not out of joy, but out of necessity and an inability to chose a different path in life. Destitute at his fate he tries to dissuade Fermin from taking a similar path, constantly stating that his young companion lacks any credible talent. Despite this Fermin continues the journey and when an occasion comes he proves the old maestro to be wrong. But only when they both reach their destination odes Fermin understand the old man. Once there they find only a coffin with the remains of Ignacio's teacher, surrounded by his many children. Once there he heart-wrenchingly plays the same tune, that Fermin inadvertently tried to perform earlier in the story. Ignacio remains with the accordion fated to live at his days playing his accordion, whilst Fermin cries at the realisation of the amount of sacrifice and hardships, that music brings to its creator. He leaves accompanied only by a harsh silence and the brutal power of nature.

Nonetheless "The Wind Journeys" is far from flawless. Whereas it remains unanimously beautiful in sound and in picture it falls into a self-imposed artistic trap, where scenes of people staring at each other with supposedly meaningful gazes (as if borrowed from a Sergio Leone spaghetti western) are input too often and you suddenly start seeing past the story being told and visualise the actors following the directors suggestions. The story itself very dangerously borders on the line of becoming overly superficial, while the message itself does reek of old-age stories about the indescribable sufferings of an artist. Despite the credible storytelling, beautiful landscapes and underlying mystical force that the movie manages to create, I failed to accept the story and its self-serving context.

People, their music and the natural world they inhabit (and move through).

[byrongatwood · 9/10 · 22 February 2011]

A beautiful film that is in no hurry to unfold (and it shouldn't be because "being in a hurry" is not something the people in the movie seem to feel). Life is not easy here (you can see this etched into every character's face) but you persevere and along the way you look for, and create, beauty and kindness. I love the way the camera often moves backward, showing the characters moving from one environment into the next (they know where they're headed but we don't. The expressions on Fermin's face at the end are a complex wonder to behold (and a great topic for discussion afterward). If you are looking for an anxiety-inducing, misanthropic action-thriller then keep looking. If you want to see a poetic gem made by people who clearly see beauty in the world and know how to help us see it too, then settle down and enjoy "The Wind Journeys".

Travel with the wind

[sergelamarche · 6/10 · 6 February 2018]

Long film but travelling through fabulous countryside, meeting nice people, having an adventure. This kind of film is enticing to travel further and learn another language. Featuring Columbia.

Diferente

[JSebastian · 9/10 · 9 May 2009]

Different to the classic Colombian movies. A journey throw the diversity of the Caribbean cost of Colombia, its people and its music.

Refreshing and well made.

It is very interesting that the lead actor is actually a well known Valletano singer. His songs a lot more popular than his funny name: Marciano.

The selection of songs along the movie is perfect. Traditional Vallenatos that this movie will always help to remember.

Ciro Guerra, the director, is making a great effort to show people around the world the most beautiful and forgotten places of the north region of Colombia.

Incomprehensible quest and ending, but entertaining throughout

[JvH48 · 7/10 · 9 October 2010]

In short: Incomprehensible quest. Same applies to the ending.

Nevertheless, the movie is entertaining throughout and never boring. It shows customs and traditions that may seem alien to us here (NL), but were never unrealistic.

The accordion is not my favorite musical instrument, but that did not hinder me in appreciating the scenes and how they develop in time.

I must admire the younger main character for the trouble he takes to attempt rescuing his older counterpart in the movie. His undertakings seem unreal, and are certainly asking for trouble.

From half way the movie I was definitely missing the logic in the storyline, and was surprised how the story ends too.

well done but boring

[moralesduarte28 · 5/10 · 29 October 2009]

I think this movie technically speaking is one of the best made in Colombia. It's filmed in super 35 with aspect ratio 2.35:1 which is a novelty in Colombian cinema. I agree the film show's different and interesting aspects of Colombia, but the problem to me is that nothing more happens and what makes an overall boring story with a lack of elements that could of made more entertaining the film (is cinema goal, isn't?). A must see for everyone, it's photography is beautiful (well done Paulo Perez!) and the music is spectacular. It shows many aspects of Colombia that are unknown even to Colombians. Also it's the second film of the young director Ciro Guerra, who is in the path of becoming a great filmmaker.

the things that are not said or done are the most important

[cata-oprea · 9/10 · 31 December 2012]

there is a certain depth and a certain shallowness in this movie. i am going to speak about the first.

the little boy chasing his master is not supposed to be getting something explicit, as somebody commented here. the very fact that he has a nervous breakdown in the middle of the story, is enough teaching. As consequence, he tries his own path and is very bold in doing so. Although the story will not allow him to follow this type of courage yet, he does try. This is one of the most important things for him. Saying that I CAN DO IT.

the second thing the boy does get, although the average spectator does not seem to see this, is that the experience is not refused to him by his master. the master constantly taunts him, denies him, etc. as the boy says, but this is just a very select and appropriate way that this great master treats his maybe even greater apprentice. his art is no ordinary school, it's also a way of living, of understanding your place in society, etc. Although this seems very romantic and select, it's the way he does it, and not by being practical, sociable, etc.

the things that are not said or done are the most important. that's why a lot of people don't get this film at all. it's not for everybody. you must be a little rebel and also you must have already followed your rebellion a little in order to get the film.

the boy will also get a full image of his master by the end of the film, a master with many weaknesses, except his talent and spiritual endurance.

the ending has a very special atmosphere. it is a sentimental ending. the dead master teaches the living one a very nice lesson, through his living wife and children. the living one gets to teach the young apprentice a lesson, although still not very explicit (there is only one glaze into the apprentice eyes). it is the first time the master is not singing for money or in order not to get killed, and it is still not for such reasons as pleasure or love. it's a very special reason, or reasons. I see it as a duty.. art becomes a duty for those who are masters. it's not just money or entertainment or ordinary love. it's a duty to God, to true love, to life and to innocence.

i really like the way characters keep to their course in this classical movie, have some kind of modesty in them and are not very informed about the future. the mother sends the boy to the troubadour master, because she knows he can teach him things she cannot. the master itself does not control the situation very well, almost dies or is in the danger to die many times and always keeps this side of him in which he himself is an appearance. The boy is the most risk assuming character, more appropriate to his age, and manages to do well in very difficult situations, like a hero, but without really knowing where he heads to. He admits that in front of a woman who asks him why he made all this long journey. He sincerely admits 'I don't know'.

the director himself portrays beautifully a lot of situations and traditions in which life or beauty surpasses logic and when he himself would admit the same thing as the boy: 'I don't know'

JOURNEYS OF THE WIND! A TIMELESS JOURNEY.. IF THERE EVER WAS ONE!!!

[Tony-Kiss-Castillo · 9/10 · 8 January 2024]

Even if You have NEVER visited COLOMBIA.... I am SURE You will ENJOY this AMAZING film! ....If You HAVE... You will really LOVE it!

Before diving in... FIRST... Let us FOCUS on the Title´s Content and Context:

Los VIAJES Del VIENTO/JOURNEYS Of The WIND is definitely an acquired taste. Embarrassingly... I must admit...My wife and I fell asleep the first time we saw it, being very tired, and probably missed over half the film. The vibrant music and some of the images kept on resonating in our brains! So...We decided to see it again. Lucky twist of fate, that! JOURNEYS Of The WIND (My title translation) took us places we had never been, showed us sights we had never seen and treated us to music we had never heard. One thing is for sure: Majagual, Colombia is about as far away from Hollywood as you could ever get!

28 year-old director Ciro Guerra's stated goal in making JOURNEYS: Share his spiritual communion connection with Vallenatos. (A style of Colombian music, the popularity of which has been growing exponentially outside its borders for three decades) With one brief, inconspicuous exception, there are literally no "Time-markers" in JOURNEYS!

Like music itself, this film is TIMELESS! A folkloric Faustian music video psycho-drama that should appeal to anyone who one Sunday morning might say "Today I feel like an art exhibit in the morning, an international music festival in the afternoon and an exotic foreign film at night!" JOURNEYS facilitates doing all three at once. Director Guerra purposefully uses each frame as a canvass.

Music in cinema is usually tailored to images as something of an afterthought. Here, it seems as if Guerra has molded his visuals to the music, with a startlingly refreshing and keenly aesthetic look. JOURNEYS, reflecting real life, does not spoon feed you anything. SH*T happens...You make of it what you may!

8.5********* (Perhaps 10* after our 3rd viewing!?!?!?)

ENJOY! / DISFRUTELA!

Any Comments, Questions or Observations... In ENGLISH... o en ESPAÑOL... are most Welacome!

The accordionist

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 20 November 2011]

We are taken to a somewhat desolated area where we watch from a certain distance two men digging, in the middle of nowhere, what appears to be a grave. Soon after a few men carrying a coffin arrive for the interment. We have no clue as to who is the dead person, or why is this happening. Shortly after that, we see a lone man riding on a horse. A young man comes after the rider offering to accompany him in his quest.

The older man turns out to be Ignacio Carrillo, a Colombian accordion player, who has vowed never to play the instrument that has brought him such misery. He is on a quest to bring the instrument to the North of Colombia where his old teacher lives. Fermin, the young man, does not want anything in return. He comes along for the opportunity to be with a man that is considered the best exponent of the 'vallenato' music genre which is played in that region of Colombia. The musical style includes improvisation, as well as expert playing.

Ignacio, against his wishes, comes into an area where a competition of that regional music is being conducted. The reigning champion does what he can to intimidate opponents. Ignacio decides to give this man a run for his money, becoming the clear winner of the contest. A friend of the losing man, charges against Ignacio with a machete, cutting the instrument. Ignacio and Fermin make a detour to the mountains to see the only man that can fix the accordion.

As the duo continue toward the teacher's home, they encounter all sorts of unexpected violence which includes a duel between two opponents on a settlement constructed over the water on stilts. As they continue, Ignacio arrives at a place where another contest is going to take place, but the only two musicians that could accompany him, do not want to do so because of personal differences. Fermin steps to help his friend, but there is no magic in his playing. As they finally arrive to their destination, Ignacio and Fermin find the home of Guerra, the teacher, to a surprising encounter.

Ciro Guerra, the writer and director of this intriguing film, created a sort of road movie which instead of using the country's highways, uses many unknown areas of the Colombia countryside. The beauty of the many regions where the action takes place has seldom been seen; the poetic eye of Mr. Guerra has given the production a texture and a dimension seldom found in films from this part of the world. It is easy to become quite taken by the magnificent landscape, which only serves to emphasize the trek Ignacio has undertaken to do justice to his accordion.

One suspects Marciano Martinez and Yull Nunez, who give life to Ignacio and Fermin are non professionals. The same can be said about the rest of the people that appear in the film. Paolo Andres Perez, the cinematographer shows an innate sense for finding beauty in those far away places where the film was shot. The incidental music is by Ivan Ocampo that incorporates rhythms not well known to most of us.

It's a long way to Taroa . . .

[tadpole-596-918256 · 8/10 · 14 December 2013]

. . . it's a long way to walk. Especially if you have cheap shoes, or are with someone who won't talk. The only spoiler you could write for this story is that writer\director Ciro Guerra leaves EVERYTHING to the viewers' imaginations. Did Ignacio, possessor of the "devil's accordion," steal it from his master, Guerro? Why is the wind always blowing during THE WIND JOURNEYS? Is that some sort of truth-in-advertising gimmick? How many of the fighters die in the machete duel--one, both, or none? Why is there a tribe of Eskimos living without ice? Did Fermin ever pay back the nice lady for the shoes? Why didn't the crowd at the festival like Ignacio's song about the wooden toy horse? Did Fermin take up marathon running at the end? Did the lady in the rocking chair try for the Pitter Patter of even more little feet with Ignacio? Why weren't there any polkas? (Lawrence Welk will probably turn over in his grave when he sees this!)

Masterful showcase of human entanglement with music

[poche22 · 10/10 · 23 November 2022]

Melodious film, in no rush to unfold delivers a melodramatic journey thorugh Colombia. A beautiful depiction of vallenato and the costa culture.

1968, widowed Ignacio Carrillo embarks a his last great journey to return the instrument to his master. "Doomed" to life the life of a troubadour (which is the equivalent of a rockstar) reluctantly takes in Fermin as a pupil, a determined kid who left his hometown to become a great musician.

Ignacio seems regretful of where his accordion took him, leaving many children behind accross the years, hoping for Fermin to not follow the same path and discouraging him to do so.

But the melody pulls hard and Fermin knows what the soul wants. Amazing depiction of music entaglement with the human condition, a phenomena I've wished to understand in a deeper way and that this masterpiece has taken me closer to. Highly recommend.

And it is quite a journey

[jordondave-28085 · 8/10 · 28 April 2023]

(2009) The Wind Journeys/ Los viajes del viento (In Spanish with English subtitles) SPIRITUAL DRAMA

If you've seen and liked "The Devil And Daniel Webster" then this movie is something of that nature- that and "The Straight Story" since it's like the "Daniel Webster" of accordions in the spiritual kind of way. Written and directed by Ciro Guerra starring Marciano Martínez as accordion traveler, Ignacio Carrillo while riding on top of a donkey to return his accordion back to the original owner. He gets followed by an ambitious teenager, Fermin Morales (Yull Nunez) who throughout the movie sometimes steals parts of the movie as he aids and helps Ignacio to complete this objective. Fermin's main motivation is to learn how to play the accordion instrument, but what he get instead is what viewers get, which is the customs and practices of accordion music as a result of their traveling. This movie may be too slow to some viewers as we're showed some gorgeous looking landscapes throughout the regions.

Disappointing plot

[albeiror24 · 4/10 · 4 April 2011]

At the end you finish as Fermin: going back empty. Good things: amazing views of a country that has much to offer to the movie world. Some excellent actors mixed with some artificial ones. The best scene: the machete fighting, good for the cameras, but isolated and unclear once more inside the plot. Terrible: Fermin (the real main character) following a 'master' who teaches nothing to him (movie mistake.) You would expect that, as a Chinese master of martial arts, Carrillo would teach him, but it never happens and Fermin ended humiliated at the end as the spectator. No smiling at all, but no meaning on it also. Very rude in any sense (the psychology of the characters.) Dialogs that seem inspired in works of Gabriel García Márquez but applied in a very poor way. Failed tries of sub-realism like the part of the sorcerers. Best actor: Yull Núñez.

Impregnation of a Soul

[DarkProfile · 8/10 · 4 June 2021]

Finally a film that plays that elusive music of soul that made one hooked to cinema in the first place.

This film maps the formative process of an artist from a spiritual perspective; the process of impregnating a forming soul with an experience so intense, complex and mystifying that the young soul will spend its entire lifetime trying to decipher its pain and meaning, and the only glimpses of its meaning will arrive through art, there is no other way.

This is a beautiful approach that emphasizes that a master's primary role is not in teaching the art or the skill to the apprentice, but to go a level deeper and impart in the apprentice the kind of experience that will automatically give birth to great art irrespective of the medium.

Contrast this film with Hollywood's treatment to the same theme, Walter Hill's Crossroads (1986), which superficially glosses over the experience part and ultimately succumbs to the glamorous but shallow pandering of the skill part.

You need to be able to spend your time reading the subtitles (if you don't speak Spanish)and concentrate of the action of the movie at the same time.

[jfarms1956 · 3/10 · 14 December 2013]

The Wind Journeys is an interesting movie for those who love mysteries, foreign films, and Hispanic dialog. Only adults can attempt to understand the movie. This is not for kids. Baby boomers might not appreciate this movie. I guess that most of the entertaining value of this movie is to discover the movie's true premise. I watched this movie to figure out the movie's premise -- either demonic possession or crazy mind. At the end, I figured that each premise was equally plausible. The beginning of the movie starts off at a real slow pace, literally and figural. I was pretty well turned of by the movie's scenery at the beginning, but it got better. You need to be able to spend your time reading the subtitles (if you don't speak Spanish)and concentrate of the action of the movie at the same time. You might want to see it again to fully appreciate this movie. I don't have the time to see such a confusing movie again for I watch many many movies (although my favorites I can watch many times). During the past 15 to 20 years, I have watched over 10,000 movies. This is not going to be a repeat performance. But it does have some artistic value. Not very entertaining to me. I rated it higher than a 1 because of its premise complexity. I figured that any movie that can keep me guessing deserves something for its effort. No popcorn here.

Do not trust his trailer

[epigeneralb · 3/10 · 31 October 2019]

So slowly played and sometimes pointless, but the worst was its deceptive trailer.