THE NIGHT OF THE SUNFLOWERS
***1/2 out of *****

Reviewed by Shane Roberts

Screening in the 2007 New Zealand International Film Festival
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Genres
Crime
Drama
Thriller

2006
Written and Directed by
Jorge Sánchez-Cabezudo
Cast
Carlemlo Gomez - Esteban
Judith Diakhate - Gabi
Celso Bugallo - Amadeo
Manuel Moron - Vendedor
Mariano Alameda - Pedro

Two weeks after the unsolved rape and murder of a young woman in a field of sunflowers in rural Spain, Esteban (a caver), his girlfriend Gabi, and photographer Pedro arrive in a small village to survey a recently discovered cave that the locals hope will turn into a tourist attraction.  After Gabi encounters the killer, Esteban and Pedro’s misguided quest for revenge will have lasting effect on the lives of several locals, some of whom they won’t even meet.

Letting his story unfold at a slow but deliberate pace that matches the speed of life in the small towns and villages where it takes place, debuting Spanish writer and director Jorge Sānchez-Cabezudo displays a natural talent for building and sustaining suspense that he shares with fellow countrymen Alejandro Amenadar (Open your Eyes, The Others) and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (Intacto, 28 Weeks Later).

By using the unusual structure of presenting his story in six overlapping chapters which each focus on one or more the main characters, he introduces them to us as if they are all the leads and therefore we’re not sure which direction the main story might follow.

While the entire cast is very convincing as a group of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation, especially good are Celso Bugallo as Amandeo the senior policeman who is about to retire but still has great instincts, Vicente Romero as Tomās his young deputy and son-in-law who falls into temptation; and Carmelo Gomez as Esteban a usually level headed guy who makes one terrible mistake.

Although the slow pace and bleak outcome for some of the characters may put some people off, fans of challenging thrillers that keep you guessing and don’t provide the predictable Hollywood ending should find this very rewarding.

This film will screen in Wellington at The Penthouse on July 28 at 8:30pm and at The Embassy Theatre on August 1 at 8:45pm.

Please refer to the Film Fest homepage for more information on screenings in other parts of the country

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