El violin (2005)

Director:

Francisco Vargas

Writer:

Francisco Vargas (writer)

Release Date:

3 January 2007 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Plot:

In an unnamed Latin American country that closely resembles Mexico, the government fights a rural insurgency with torture...

Plot Keywords:

Violin | Rebel | Ammunition | Soldier | Assault

Awards:

24 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Ángel Tavira	...	Don Plutarco
Gerardo Taracena	...	Genaro
Dagoberto Gama	...	Capitán
Mario Garibaldi	...	Lucio
Fermín Martínez	...	Teniente
Silverio Palacios	...	Comandante Cayetano
Octavio Castro	...	Zacarías
Mercedes Hernández	...	Jacinta
Gerardo Juárez	...	Pedro
Ángeles Cruz	...	Jefa Guerrilera 1
Norma Pablo	...	Jefa Guerrilllera 2
Ariel Galvan	...	Joaquín
Amorita Rasgado	...	Prostitutas
María Elena Olivares	...	Doña Lupe
Esteban Castellanos	...	Manuel

Also Known As:

The Violin (International: English title) (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:16 | Argentina:16 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Rancho San Isidro, Ixtapaluca, Estado de México, Mexico

Company:

Camara Carnal

Trivia:

First feature film by director Francisco Vargas

Viva La Cinema, Mexicana

My hat's off to this little,but powerful film from Mexico. 'El Violin' (or as it's being called in it's U.S. release,'The Violin')is a powerful political potboiler about an unnamed Latin American village, being bullied by government troops (sound only too familiar?),against an elderly musician,minus one hand, who still manages to play violin by tying the bow to the stump of his missing hand. This film is being compared to Ken Loach's 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley', but reminds me more of certain unpleasant events that took place in Central America back in the 1980's (does El Salvador strike a familiar chord?). The film is shot in black & white, giving it a look that may remind you of some of the classic Italian dramas (post realist) of post WWII (hint: DeSica's 'Bitter Grapes'). Although the film was completed in 2005, it is just now getting something resembling distribution. A film that is well worth seeking out.