A surprising documentary in Luis Buñuel style that caused a big impact at the time, in fact it was banned by the Republican government for 1933-1939. It not is for all tastes, adding disagreeable images, but nonetheless masterfully done. It starts showing the little location Las Albercas, in Extremadura, where the population amuse themselves seeing as some horse riders beheading roosters hanging in a cord. Near Albercas spread across some small villages whose unfortunate residents live in extreme distress and real poverty. After that, we are watching the extreme poorness and misery of these surrounding villages with a large number of distressed villagers, surviving a diet of beans and potatoes only, with goat meat available in some year season . We are seeing sick villagers by bonzo illness with swell on their necks , little kids dying and a deceased baby being hardly transported by the locals to a far cemetery. And how the peasants attempt to survive at whatever means by hardly ever cultivating along the rivers and without the most basic utilities. Wrenching documentary, graphic and depressing, including disgusting scenes with unfortunate people suffering, abandoned children, and others in extreme poorness and isolation. The movie title concerns Las Hurdes, an isolated land from the outside world with no bread, due to they don't eat cereals and they hardly ever live thanks to little products and short food . Famine, extreme starving, polluted waters result in disabled generations, showing various people with mental and physical disabilities, as dwarf, nutty villagers and others.
Produced by Ramón Arcin, an anarchist who was shot and dead during Spanish Civil War (1936-1938). Arcin won in lottery and gave an amount of money to Buñuel for the production of this almost surrealist documentary Las Hurdes, that's how he made his way into film history . And well directed by Luis Buñuel, however, being accused by critics to be a documentary excessively manipulative and to carry out an animal slaughter. Buñuel defended, as he stated that he attempted to deliver a provoking message. After making this film, Buñuel exiled in USA where he worked in the Museum of Modern Art in N. Y. Later on, he exiled in Mexico. Shortly after, Buñuel exiled in Mexico, beginning his Mexican period. The first Mexico made film was Gran Casino with the singer idol Jorge Negrete and following The great madcap or El gran calavera with Fernando Soler . Later on, he made the successful Los olvidados that won several awards. The went on making other important movies, such as : The devil and the flesh, Mexican bus ride, The brute, El, Robinson Crusoe, A woman without love, Archibald Cruz, Evil Eden, Nazarin, The young one, The angel exterminator, Simon of the desert. And his French period including : Diary of a chambermaid, Belle de Jour, The milky way, Discreet charm of bourgeoise, The phantom of liberty. The exiled Spanish filmmaker also shot in Spain as Las Hurdes, Tristana , Viridiana and his last film : Obscure object of desire. Rating 8/10, better than average. The flick will appeal to Luis Buñuel enthusiasts. Essential and indispensable watching.
Produced by Ramón Arcin, an anarchist who was shot and dead during Spanish Civil War (1936-1938). Arcin won in lottery and gave an amount of money to Buñuel for the production of this almost surrealist documentary Las Hurdes, that's how he made his way into film history . And well directed by Luis Buñuel, however, being accused by critics to be a documentary excessively manipulative and to carry out an animal slaughter. Buñuel defended, as he stated that he attempted to deliver a provoking message. After making this film, Buñuel exiled in USA where he worked in the Museum of Modern Art in N. Y. Later on, he exiled in Mexico. Shortly after, Buñuel exiled in Mexico, beginning his Mexican period. The first Mexico made film was Gran Casino with the singer idol Jorge Negrete and following The great madcap or El gran calavera with Fernando Soler . Later on, he made the successful Los olvidados that won several awards. The went on making other important movies, such as : The devil and the flesh, Mexican bus ride, The brute, El, Robinson Crusoe, A woman without love, Archibald Cruz, Evil Eden, Nazarin, The young one, The angel exterminator, Simon of the desert. And his French period including : Diary of a chambermaid, Belle de Jour, The milky way, Discreet charm of bourgeoise, The phantom of liberty. The exiled Spanish filmmaker also shot in Spain as Las Hurdes, Tristana , Viridiana and his last film : Obscure object of desire. Rating 8/10, better than average. The flick will appeal to Luis Buñuel enthusiasts. Essential and indispensable watching.