How many times have we contemplated a tank full of beautiful colored fish? It seems to be the ideal place to be. There are no confrontations, just a wonderful space full of water where these creatures swim to their heart's content. One can only wish life would be so simple as that peaceful scene we just mentioned.
Alas, for Andres, a Chilean living in Germany, life has been hard. He has returned to Santiago for one last look. He does not intend to return to his country any time soon. Not being able to avoid attending one of his good friends birthday party, he goes. Being in the company of friends he has not seen in over ten years brings back emotions he thought he had forgotten.
Pablo, Guille, Roberto, and Ignacio, were his good friends of his youth, now much older with families of their own, they stand in clear contrast with his empty life. Talking with Mariana, who is pregnant, evokes feelings of a wasted life. It is not until he comes face to face with Beatriz, that Andres realizes how much he left behind. Having loved her so much, she seems to be happy to see him again. The dynamic for them has changed and coming back is essential for Andres to have closure on his old life.
Andres suggests to go to a quiet place to talk. Beatriz reveals she had been to Berlin, where he lives, but did not call him. Their conversation gives us a clue as to what could have been so terrible for Andres' sudden departure, not keeping a rendezvous with Beatriz. She is married now, the mother of twin girls. Escaping her present life is not an option for her anymore. A dejected Andres must accept his present life; it will never be the same again, in spite of what they both feel about each other.
Matias Bize, the director and co-writer of this extraordinary Chilean film is a man that shows a talent for delving into emotions long repressed. The film takes an elegiac look at a love that suffered from an unusual reverse at the time the lovers thought nothing would come between them. It is a sad story, full of reproaches on both sides. Mr. Bize spins a good story in its 84 minutes running time. This is a reflective film told in the slow pace that seems to be a favorite for a lot of Latin American directors.
One thing Mr. Bize has excelled is in the amazing acting he gets from his wonderful cast. Santiago Cabrera's Andres needs to be singled out as one of the best performances in recent memory. Same could be said for the quiet dignity of Blanca Lewin, who had worked previously with the director. One cannot get enough of Antonia Zegers the wonderful actress of "Post Mortem". Her part is not big, but she impresses with her Mariana.
Barbara Alvarez, the cinematographer captures in vivid images, mostly in close-ups what the characters are going through. The music score is by Diego Fontecilla. We look forward to Mr. Bize's next project. He is a new voice that must be reckoned with.
Alas, for Andres, a Chilean living in Germany, life has been hard. He has returned to Santiago for one last look. He does not intend to return to his country any time soon. Not being able to avoid attending one of his good friends birthday party, he goes. Being in the company of friends he has not seen in over ten years brings back emotions he thought he had forgotten.
Pablo, Guille, Roberto, and Ignacio, were his good friends of his youth, now much older with families of their own, they stand in clear contrast with his empty life. Talking with Mariana, who is pregnant, evokes feelings of a wasted life. It is not until he comes face to face with Beatriz, that Andres realizes how much he left behind. Having loved her so much, she seems to be happy to see him again. The dynamic for them has changed and coming back is essential for Andres to have closure on his old life.
Andres suggests to go to a quiet place to talk. Beatriz reveals she had been to Berlin, where he lives, but did not call him. Their conversation gives us a clue as to what could have been so terrible for Andres' sudden departure, not keeping a rendezvous with Beatriz. She is married now, the mother of twin girls. Escaping her present life is not an option for her anymore. A dejected Andres must accept his present life; it will never be the same again, in spite of what they both feel about each other.
Matias Bize, the director and co-writer of this extraordinary Chilean film is a man that shows a talent for delving into emotions long repressed. The film takes an elegiac look at a love that suffered from an unusual reverse at the time the lovers thought nothing would come between them. It is a sad story, full of reproaches on both sides. Mr. Bize spins a good story in its 84 minutes running time. This is a reflective film told in the slow pace that seems to be a favorite for a lot of Latin American directors.
One thing Mr. Bize has excelled is in the amazing acting he gets from his wonderful cast. Santiago Cabrera's Andres needs to be singled out as one of the best performances in recent memory. Same could be said for the quiet dignity of Blanca Lewin, who had worked previously with the director. One cannot get enough of Antonia Zegers the wonderful actress of "Post Mortem". Her part is not big, but she impresses with her Mariana.
Barbara Alvarez, the cinematographer captures in vivid images, mostly in close-ups what the characters are going through. The music score is by Diego Fontecilla. We look forward to Mr. Bize's next project. He is a new voice that must be reckoned with.