THE VIOLIN
**** out of *****

Reviewed by Mike Cavanaugh

Screening in the 2007 New Zealand International Film Festival
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Genres
Drama

2005
Written and Directed by
Fransisco Vargas Quevedo  
Cast
Don Angel Tavira - Don Plutarco
Dagoberto Gama - Capitán
Fermin Martinez - Teniente

The adage of music being the balm of life is never truer than in The Violin. This is a film about resistance and repression, music and rebellion, and how the unlikeliest of people can play the most vital of roles.

Shot in nostalgic black and white, The Violin tells the story of Don Plutarco, his son Genaro, and his grandson Lucio during the Mexican peasant revolts of the 1970s. As musicians attempting to survive by day, at night they are aiding the guerillas in their bid to overthrow the tyrannical regime of the era. Upon their return to their village, they discover that it is now occupied by the military, having forced people out of their homes. The resulting cat and mouse game between Plutarco and the oppressor's captain is intriguing and captivating.

While The Violin is a touching, beautiful and eloquent film, it does suffer from an initial extremely slow pace. That might be a reflection of the Don Plutarco and his calm manner, but nevertheless it is an unnecessary detraction in my mind. Apart from that, this is an exquisite looking film, with the most natural feel.

This film will screen in Wellington at The Penthouse on August 1 at 8:15pm and Te Papa's Soundings Theatre on August 5 at 1:45pm.

Please refer to the Film Fest homepage for more information on screenings in other parts of the country http://www.enzedff.co.nz/

Back to KP's Film Fest Coverage http://www.karateparty.org/content/view/701/1/