Beautiful Pain. It so sad to think that all those years they been seperated and just until the end they find out what they need. The body language, eyes contact, all these look and act... It's so touching. I don't think it gonna end like that, i thought it'd be sad, but then it happened really meaning and make me smile happily.
18 Reviews
Good
JJthebat27 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This film certainly has a very unique story and a very unique setting and theme, which helps the film stand out. It also helps for your enjoyment, i believe, to know nothing about it, so that the "suprise" keeps the story interesting.
This is a very well directed film. while not anything outstanding, it serves it's purpose, as all of the actors do a good job, especially the 2 main elders. The music was noticeably great, although i would have prefered much less use of it. I appreciated the choice to not translate the indigenous language of the 2 characters (which was created for the film, btw), as it really emphasizes how disconnected we are with these cultures, and it also makes the ending much more satisfying.
I feel that this is a movie that everyone could enjoy and have interesting conversations about, whether about love, religion, selfishness, and the reality of a culture's death, although i would say it is a much more interesing story than a film.
This is a very well directed film. while not anything outstanding, it serves it's purpose, as all of the actors do a good job, especially the 2 main elders. The music was noticeably great, although i would have prefered much less use of it. I appreciated the choice to not translate the indigenous language of the 2 characters (which was created for the film, btw), as it really emphasizes how disconnected we are with these cultures, and it also makes the ending much more satisfying.
I feel that this is a movie that everyone could enjoy and have interesting conversations about, whether about love, religion, selfishness, and the reality of a culture's death, although i would say it is a much more interesing story than a film.
Very interesting first half leads to so-so second half, but i still thought it was a good idea.
mbs3 August 2017
Saw this film at the very last minute without knowing a thing about it beyond the one or two line description that the cashier gave me at the theater showing it. I was standing there and it was about to start, and I asked what's it about--and her response was enough to make me hand money over to see it at literally a moment's notice, so you know you got an interesting idea if your brief synopsis is interesting enough to hook someone like that. (Basically two people who hate each other are the last two people on Earth to speak this one language and this linguist who's interested in preserving the language has to somehow convince these two men to start speaking to one another again which of course isn't easy)
The film follows this guy who is very interested in trying to preserve this rapidly dying language in the very photogenic San Isidro area of Mexico. There are at the film's beginning only three people in the world who speak this particular dialect, and so the guy who is a linguist tries his best to record what he can of it, and possibly try and learn a handful of words himself to try and keep the language alive as it was, and these two other people who make up the last people on Earth who speak this language are former best friends who have not spoken to one another in over 50 years, and bear a huge grudge against one another for reasons that will eventually be made clear during the course of the movie. Meanwhile our leading man ends up starting a relationship with the granddaughter/caretaker of one of these two men, and the two of them plot together to try and unite these two former friends so as to try and preserve what they can of the dying out language. Its a cute enough premise, and as a backdrop to a love story for the linguist and the granddaughter its not a half bad love story as well.
The imagery of this movie is very good, and the way the material is presented at first made me think we might be getting some sort of off beat comedy along the lines of Aki Kurismaki or Jim Jarmusch, but the film's tone quickly veers more towards the melodramatic than humorous as the film's main story-line gets going. Its an OK film on the whole, and I think if people can embrace the metaphysical aspects of the film's big climactic sequence, they might end up enjoying the film's last half hour a bit more than I did. I wasn't prepared for the film to veer into the metaphysical the way it did, although I appreciated it, it reminded me a little bit of the TV series "Northern Exposure" in that sense, in fact the whole premise itself was very "Northern Expsoure" like which may in fact be what made me decide to see it just on a sheer moment's notice. (about that shift into metaphysical--without giving anything away i'll just say that the film's depiction of what happens to the dying as they um lay dying was interesting to contemplate afterwards, it'd be nice to think that that's what happens! I thought it was neat, but it doesn't quite track with the literal way the story was presenting itself in that first hour or so...but still i give the film credit for at least changing itself up in a unique way.)
I do look forward to seeing what the writer/director of this does in the future tho, there are some sequences here that are very beautifully shot, and i think the scenery is just very, very well captured. Its worth checking out if you get the chance to see it, but well like I said, after a great first half or so, i think the film veers into melodrama terrain, and i think the film kind of writes itself into a corner at one point, like after the big reveal is revealed, I wasn't entirely sure where the film was left to go to, but its still more than interesting enough to hold your attention or fancy (as in flight of) on the whole.
The film follows this guy who is very interested in trying to preserve this rapidly dying language in the very photogenic San Isidro area of Mexico. There are at the film's beginning only three people in the world who speak this particular dialect, and so the guy who is a linguist tries his best to record what he can of it, and possibly try and learn a handful of words himself to try and keep the language alive as it was, and these two other people who make up the last people on Earth who speak this language are former best friends who have not spoken to one another in over 50 years, and bear a huge grudge against one another for reasons that will eventually be made clear during the course of the movie. Meanwhile our leading man ends up starting a relationship with the granddaughter/caretaker of one of these two men, and the two of them plot together to try and unite these two former friends so as to try and preserve what they can of the dying out language. Its a cute enough premise, and as a backdrop to a love story for the linguist and the granddaughter its not a half bad love story as well.
The imagery of this movie is very good, and the way the material is presented at first made me think we might be getting some sort of off beat comedy along the lines of Aki Kurismaki or Jim Jarmusch, but the film's tone quickly veers more towards the melodramatic than humorous as the film's main story-line gets going. Its an OK film on the whole, and I think if people can embrace the metaphysical aspects of the film's big climactic sequence, they might end up enjoying the film's last half hour a bit more than I did. I wasn't prepared for the film to veer into the metaphysical the way it did, although I appreciated it, it reminded me a little bit of the TV series "Northern Exposure" in that sense, in fact the whole premise itself was very "Northern Expsoure" like which may in fact be what made me decide to see it just on a sheer moment's notice. (about that shift into metaphysical--without giving anything away i'll just say that the film's depiction of what happens to the dying as they um lay dying was interesting to contemplate afterwards, it'd be nice to think that that's what happens! I thought it was neat, but it doesn't quite track with the literal way the story was presenting itself in that first hour or so...but still i give the film credit for at least changing itself up in a unique way.)
I do look forward to seeing what the writer/director of this does in the future tho, there are some sequences here that are very beautifully shot, and i think the scenery is just very, very well captured. Its worth checking out if you get the chance to see it, but well like I said, after a great first half or so, i think the film veers into melodrama terrain, and i think the film kind of writes itself into a corner at one point, like after the big reveal is revealed, I wasn't entirely sure where the film was left to go to, but its still more than interesting enough to hold your attention or fancy (as in flight of) on the whole.
Any aficionado of storytelling and the art, love and purpose of communication will not want to miss this
robcox198020 May 2018
Nearly every aspect of this work-of-art is perfectly complemented. Lost language and love, dying and the persistence of opportunity slipping away-so poetic and enchanting. Many movies strain for the type of majesty "Sueño en otro idioma" accomplishes seemingly effortlessly, but only one or two a year ever surface into mainstream society.
Bravo to Ernesto Contreras, cast and crew.
Bravo to Ernesto Contreras, cast and crew.
Pure realismo mágico
aeris_et_lux13 October 2019
A dark movie about a dying language and a living hatred
Red-12520 October 2017
The Mexican film Sueño en otro idioma was shown in the U.S. with the translated title I Dream in Another Language (2017). It was directed by Ernesto Contreras.
This is a fascinating movie, based on a plausible situation. An indigenous language--Zikril--
is vanishing. When the movie begins, there are only three people who can still speak Zikril. Soon, there are just two. A young linguist, Martín (played by Fernando Álvarez Rebeil), wants to preserve the language. The problem is that the two men who can speak Zikril hate each other. José Manuel Ponce plays Isauro, and Eligio Meléndez portrays Evaristo. By amazing good fortune--for Martín--the most beautiful woman in Mexico, Lluvia (Fátima Molina) is the granddaughter of one of the men.
The plot of the film revolves around Martín's attempts to bring the two men together so they can have a conversation in Zikril. That will allow Martín to record them and save the language for future generations. Of course, bringing them together means unraveling the reason that they are apart. Naturally, the reason isn't anything simple. It's a complex set of events that have remained buried until Martín arrives.
We saw this fascinating film at Rochester's great Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum. It was shown as part of ImageOut, the wonderful Rochester LGBT Film Festival. Unfortunately, this movie is best seen in a theater. The vegetation in the rain forest in which the film is set is astounding. However, even if you lose that aspect of the film, the basic story line will compensate for this. I recommend that you find this movie and watch it.
This is a fascinating movie, based on a plausible situation. An indigenous language--Zikril--
is vanishing. When the movie begins, there are only three people who can still speak Zikril. Soon, there are just two. A young linguist, Martín (played by Fernando Álvarez Rebeil), wants to preserve the language. The problem is that the two men who can speak Zikril hate each other. José Manuel Ponce plays Isauro, and Eligio Meléndez portrays Evaristo. By amazing good fortune--for Martín--the most beautiful woman in Mexico, Lluvia (Fátima Molina) is the granddaughter of one of the men.
The plot of the film revolves around Martín's attempts to bring the two men together so they can have a conversation in Zikril. That will allow Martín to record them and save the language for future generations. Of course, bringing them together means unraveling the reason that they are apart. Naturally, the reason isn't anything simple. It's a complex set of events that have remained buried until Martín arrives.
We saw this fascinating film at Rochester's great Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum. It was shown as part of ImageOut, the wonderful Rochester LGBT Film Festival. Unfortunately, this movie is best seen in a theater. The vegetation in the rain forest in which the film is set is astounding. However, even if you lose that aspect of the film, the basic story line will compensate for this. I recommend that you find this movie and watch it.
delicate and mystical
briefexistance14 November 2019
Beautiful film. I don't even have the words to explain myself how moving, how pure and mysterious this film is. I think it has some parallels with Moonlight, with the difference that Sueño en otro idioma touches some magical and native aspects the other doesn't and also can't. This one is very mystical and also very interesting. As other have said, is charged with realismo magico but also delicately touches the aspect of romance in a forbidden world, and the aspect of death of native languages, which is a reality here in Mexico and a catastrophe for our cultural richness.
Beautiful, pure and trascendental.
Beautiful, pure and trascendental.
A beautiful story about loss and finding your way back
andic200029 December 2018
Such a moving and wonderful movie
mahsa-mn24 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not sure about the translation since I watched it in Spanish but I can tell you that this movie is an absolute piece of art. I watch a lots of movies and never liked a movie so much I felt obligated to write about it.
***spoiler alaret***
Such a wonderful way to show the true love. The sacrifices, and the forgiveness of Don Isauro gives a whole new meaning to love. The way you can compare what true love actually means, even if it's forbidden in compare to a none existing man & woman "love" is just beautiful. There is such a perfectly placed balance between Don Isauro's kindness and Don Evaristo's cruelty. In this movie you get to learn to understand each character, their emotions, their concerns and the way they confront their life and its challenges. Each character is perfectly developed which results to an understandable action and reactions from each one of them.
I'm not a great writer but I really enjoyed this well made movie and I absolutely recommend it.
I'm not a great writer but I really enjoyed this well made movie and I absolutely recommend it.
One well crafted gem.
psbzu4 March 2018
One wonderfully crafted gem about the clash of several different worlds.
Language, sexuality and personal aspirations all became entangled showing us all how chaotic Life is and how hard it is to make sense of it all.
A very plausible argument and human back ground made this movie very special for me because my personal emotional subtext filled all the blanks in the story.
I´m yet digesting it but i could not resist in reviewing it in the hope that others see it.
A very plausible argument and human back ground made this movie very special for me because my personal emotional subtext filled all the blanks in the story.
I´m yet digesting it but i could not resist in reviewing it in the hope that others see it.
One Of The Best Mexican Films I Ever Seen Lately!
javierubio23 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Everything fits in this incredible adventure of our Director Ernesto Contreras. WOW! Let me tell you that it has made a marvel of a movie, not only for bringing the rescue of an almost extinct culture of the great diversity that exists in Mexico, you also brought a color and an incredible staging personifying nature itself (Wonderful forums, and natural scenes).
But the most beautiful of that: The film is the plot between a love triangle in times very different from the ones we live now and in which pride, ignorance and specifically the manipulation of religion to confuse any human being regarding their sexuality. It was a very precise plot openly, without confusion and this Director opened up tremendously by offering an impossible love between two indigenous people of the same sex that ended in hatred, mistreatment and a tragedy.
The final scene where Evaristo ended his life and wanted to enter the world of the dead was exquisite to digest and in a certain way very ingenious in terms of the conversation with Isauro about the chair and on all his tribulations that I had in life to pass to a state alone of peace and love without external stimuli to not make your life more miserable, Good for you Director, you made a great movie worth seeing and admiring!
But the most beautiful of that: The film is the plot between a love triangle in times very different from the ones we live now and in which pride, ignorance and specifically the manipulation of religion to confuse any human being regarding their sexuality. It was a very precise plot openly, without confusion and this Director opened up tremendously by offering an impossible love between two indigenous people of the same sex that ended in hatred, mistreatment and a tragedy.
The final scene where Evaristo ended his life and wanted to enter the world of the dead was exquisite to digest and in a certain way very ingenious in terms of the conversation with Isauro about the chair and on all his tribulations that I had in life to pass to a state alone of peace and love without external stimuli to not make your life more miserable, Good for you Director, you made a great movie worth seeing and admiring!
about roots
Kirpianuscus13 September 2018
A special film. Each other word seems does not work. Two old men, a village, a young man , a language. And two love stories. A silence across decades. And the past as answer and question. It is difficult to define it because you see only an aspect. The entire portrait, the delicacy of links between facts, the bitter and harsh details are easy to ignore. Because it is a film about roots. Deep roots, from language to fairy tales and myths to secrets defining a strange, forbidden love story. A film about a dying universe. About reconciliation. Admirable for plot, landscapes and beautiful performances, a seed film , growing each day after I saw it almost like memory. A film about roots.
Beautiful movie
ljmcfarland28 October 2018
So happy we found this. The scenery was beautiful right from the start. The acting was flawless. The storyline timeless. Subtitles are needed for those of us that don't speak Spanish. Without giving away any spoilers, it's a story of love, commitment, social and personal evolvement, and universal spirituality.
Best non english movie i watched
IGCAS13 September 2020
Transcendental
Mixamus31 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This film is a special gem, a thing of beauty, a story that will stay with you for some time. It's about the power of language to see the world in a different way, and what we lose when a language is lost. And it's about the power of love, and even at the end of life, we can still be redeemed if we choose to love. The cinematography is absolutely stunning and the lead performances are engaging. Eligio Melendez as Evaristo is a stand-out. His portrayal of a bitter, resolute old man who finally lets the love in his heart overcome decades of anger is a beauty to behold. The final scene is unforgettable as the two lead characters come to terms in their native tongue. They speak in Zikril, and in the film their dialogue is translated only into Spanish. For the benefit of English speakers, this is their exchange:
Isauro: What the hell do you want?
Evaristo: Still angry?
Isauro: Yes, you wanted to burn me, you b.....d!
Evaristo: You burned my photos.
Isauro: And you hit me. Get out of here!
Evaristo: No. I've come looking for you.
Isauro: What do you have to say?
Evaristo: Maria died repentant. I don't want that to happen to me.
Isauro: But then do you love me?
Evaristo: You shut up! They will hear you.
Isauro: Oh Evaristo! Here nobody cares!
Evaristo: Yes, I love you.
Isauro: Come already. By then, too much nonsense. Leave the chair. You won't need it.
One of the best mexican films, great picture and storyline.
moranmayra16 June 2018
This movie has such an amazing story, it has everything, shows the beauty of Chiapas, the characters are constructed in a way that you can get really into them individually, it has great humor, its certainly not a movie for everyone, but if its for you, youll love it.
A fight against prejudice, acceptance and regrets.
murlac18 November 2019
Ernesto Contreras develops an interesting story that involves a dying language as its survival depends on the relationship between the last two men whom are able to speak it. But it's a relationship that has a complex background as they take different paths over love. I like the way death plays its part in the narrative from the point of view of the small community and the interaction with their environment. The first part of the film has a great treatment, amazing visuals and astonishing sound, the language itself is a way to communicate with nature, though as it goes on the character development starts to feel weak. Some of the characters are just a little too distracting, they are given more attention than needed. But the end definitely makes justice to the story. There are some unnecessary elements that without them it could have been a truly important piece in the mexican film industry. Despite that, it's very enjoyable and also commendable for going for a fresh approach, far from the narco violence, urban disturbances and social problems, getting in touch with the rural life and its individuals in such a respectful manner.
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