El espíritu de la colmena
This is probably the experimental and obscure movie I have watched since awhile; it’s so unknown that there is not even a german Wikipedia article about the film. I heard about it, because it is supposed to be one of Mohiro Kitoh’s favourite movies. (I’m sorry for linking to the german article, it’s simply much better than the english.) While watching this movie, I would have my favourite mangaka’s works in mind the whole time: Kitoh’s horrifying portraits of children, his latent pedophilia (in my opinion) and sexualization of children, his unusual and eccentric views on life and death. Just as I expected, these elements are all beautifully reflected in this movie, tehe.
The weirdness of the movie mainly shows in the focus on small details and the extremely slow pace of the story. Now that I have gotten used to slow paced movies by now, I still think that this one is outstandingly dragging, without creating too much of an intense atmosphere. But that’s probably a personal thing – I have to admit that the cinematography and the symbolism of the elements shown are simply brilliant. The slowness aside, you can see how well-chosen and composed every single picture of this film is. It is a pity that I am going for the easy way and use posters as pictures for my postings: This film really deserves a screenshot as eye candy for a review – and there are way too many screenshots to pick from.
In my opinion, the strongest point of this movie are still the characters, as well as Ana Torrent’s wonderful acting. I could look at her big, childish eyes forever, really. Yet again, it could be because I am biased (I quickly take a liking on characters and pay lots of attention to character development), but I think the critics’ claim of this being a “film about children” is fully justified.
I wonder if I should even dare to talk about the latent sexuality of the girls here. You see them shaking their butts, putting on make-up and cologne, playing with death (their own and – what symbolism! – a black cat’s), coloring their lips with their blood. They even wear innocent-looking skirts, frilly white dresses and long night gowns that a ‘professional’ lolicon will immediately recognize as very, hm, enticing *cough* (I hope this film never gets released in Japan.) You may think about it whatever you want, but in the context of this film, it seems meaningful and beautiful to me.
After seeing Almodóvar’s films and “Los lunes al sol”, I have taken a strong liking on spanish films – El espirítu de la colmena is no exception and even strengthens my impression. I am unable to tell what I find so ‘spanish’ in this film though, besides the looks and the environment making its setting so clear.
In the end, I’m actually wondering how these little children cope with the roles they play. Ana Torrent seems to be a successful actress today; and it does not surprise me. However: How much of the film did she actually understand, for example did she understand the cruelty and sexuality of this film? I doubt it. But if not, how could she have played it so well? How can this role not have an impact on her – when even the character has her actual name? (Just like all other characters, in fact.) I know how Hollywood movie-goers complained about the rape scene with this one 12-year old actress whose name I’ve forgotten – but isn’t this subtle cruelty much worse?
I’d also like to make clear that Shii’s comment on the film is so much better than my own. Then again, I also feel that no comments can do justice to this film really; it just has to be seen.
Awesome slow… check.
Lolis… check.
Spanish movie… check.
A great author likes it… check.
I still haven’t read what Shii wrote but you made very clear, that this one is very relevant to my interests and I’m going to watch this ASAP!
*pedobear seal of approval*
“I’d also like to make clear that Shii’s comment on the film is so much better than my own.” – What the hell? Sometimes modesty is a sin. Here we have an example.
“I’m sorry for linking to the german article, it’s simply much better than the english.” – Thanks for the flowers. :] A section for his “style” is still missing, but I just can’t find any sources.
“In the end, I’m actually wondering how these little children cope with the roles they play.” – Dito. Their innocent parts and scenes must be pretty easy for them, because they, well, still are children, but the cruel and artsy scenes surely are so incredibly good because of the director’s brilliancy. That’s why I really want to see other works by Víctor Erice (his Ten Minutes Older short was somewhat disturbing, but definitely not as fascinating as El espíritu de la colmena).
(And I think you meant Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver?)
I would love to see a manga adaptation of this one done by Mohiro Kitoh! (Well, okay, I would love to see adaptations of everything done by him? Hmmmm.)
omg I want to watch this! i’ve heard it mentioned many times before in other places though unfortunately I never got around to getting a DVD or something – i saw an image from the film before (with the children by the train tracks?) and though it was wonderful.
@Pixelmatsch: From a director’s point of view, I believe that this film is simply a masterpiece. I still do not fully agree with the incredible slowness, but it definitely is a very memorable film.
@Shii: Hahaha. A sin, eh? What a sweet catholic boy you are =P But thank you for praising my writing, I really do not deserve it.
I have never watched Taxi Driver, by the way. But yeah, I keep being amazed at how children cope with their roles, especially when they are so young as Ana Torrent in this one. Then again, young actors don’t have a life anyways, I guess.
A manga adaptation by Mohiro Kitoh! How interesting… maybe there is hope, considering that he loves this film so much? But then again, I have never seen him doing adaptations, so I have no idea how it would turn out.
@Prog: Watch it, watch it! It could be possible that you dislike parts of the film, but the images and the directing are so impressive, you *must* like it.