OTILIA A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes RATING (0 TO ****): * 1/2
In Dana Rotberg's OTILIA, Otilia (Gabriela Canudas), a young woman with a voluptuous body, has two strikes against her -- a massive birthmark that covers her entire left cheek and VD, thanks to her prostitute-happy husband.
Filmmakers take significant risks when they decide to choreograph their movies in slow-motion as Rotberg does. All the characters and even the horses in OTILIA move at one-third speed or slower. The loud background sounds of nature (blowing wind and chirping birds) almost make this slow-motion technique work, but the narratively-deprived tale offers the viewers few compelling moments. Heads were nodding off all over our audience as people were in bad need of more caffeine to stay awake.
One of the main themes is Otilia's sexuality. She loves to parade her impressive body around like a statue during sex, while the man fumbles around, having trouble getting his pants off. This is no problem since she grunts loudly enough for the both of them even if he still has his pants on.
Basically a female empowerment tale, the movie dares you not to like it as it flaunts its message in your face. I feel sorry both for Otilia and for the film's viewers.
OTILIA runs 1:50. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles. It is not rated but might be R for nudity, sex and violence and would be acceptable for older teenagers.
The film is being shown now as part of San Jose's Cinequest film festival (www.Cinequest.org).
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