Iván Fund, his filmmaker, presented in the German exhibition his “Road Movie” in black and white, a fable about two sellers of illusions that allow communicating with dead or lost pets.
Berlin – Argentine cinema was present at the Berlin Festival with “The message”a small and bright film, in black and white, in the Berlinale Palast. Written, directed and edited by Iván Fundthe feature film is one of the 19 that compete for gold and silver bears. Many of his opponents are formidable, although recognition is not ruled out to any of his many merits, under the radar during the first twenty minutes. The simplicity of history literally conceals its “message ‘, which works at two levels, one explicit in the title and the other, in the subtle presentation of the trade of living.
A teenager, Anika (Anika Kootz) Travel with whom they seem to be their guardians, Miriam and Roger, through dusty provincial routes, offering a peculiar service: you can communicate with pets – living, lost or dead – for a modest sum of money turned to a bank account. With that gift (or fraud?) Provides joy and comfort to their owners, provided they know how to “listen ‘. This “Road Movie” has minimal geographical allusions, does not abbreviate in the picaresque genre or offer social criticism or ethnographic observations. Moreover, its low initial profile can impatient the public that seeks entertainment forms focused on a clearly raised and resolved dramatic conflict at the end of the film.
“The message” An emotional world is putting together around these three characters, whose relationships are revealed gradually. The photograph of Gustavo Schiaffino Organize this world in black and white, especially in the management of sequence plans, highlighting everyday life in a modest rolling house, and the flora and fauna of the road. The music of Mauro Mourelos Combine with jazz rhythms with songs in English, avoiding any picturesque.
The affective relationship between the three protagonists – made of silences and gestures of tenderness – is enriching measure that data that illuminate their dynamics are enriched – such as visits to Anika’s mother, confined in a psychiatric hospital, and sessions with sessions with sessions with Pets and their owners, very successful. Mara Bestelli Build Miriam’s character, grandmother with histrionic gifts that rides the business, with a lot of empathy. He pointed out at the press conference after the first projection, which embodies a woman of faith, genuine in her feeling, which is in these social peripheries. For its part, Marcelo Subiotto He noted that Roger’s long silences are an effective way to build his character, economic and psychological support of this Sui Generis family.
On a visual and thematic level, an unavoidable reference of “The message” is the classic of Federico Fellini “La Strada”. Although the trajectories are different, both “Road Movies” culminate in an epiphany about love as a redeeming force.
In the press conference the director Iván Fund – born in 1984; Leonina hair, some gray hair, a warm bearing – explained the production circumstances at an Argentine political moment where cinema subsidies have been canceled. The project – whose gestation lasted several years – participated in the San Sebastián co -production forum in 2023. In February last year, filming began, paid with its own funds. Once the film was finished they appeared to the World Fund de la Berlinale, being one of the chosen films. Thus they could add co -producers.
“The message” It is a good example of what Martin Scorsese He described in an essay for the magazine “New York Review of Books”: through the emotions reflected on the screen, we understand that cinema is not life, but a dialogue with life. This is the invitation you make “The message”with good vibes and right -hand use of cinematographic language.
Source: Ambito
