Movie spotlight
El asombro
As if it were a continuation of the last 15 minutes of AB, Fund and Loza, now accompanied by Moriconi, radicalize the aesthetic procedure of the previous film made together: on the one hand, there is a free text, between poetic and philosophical, pronounced voiced by two men and a woman; on the other, a set of plans of different ecosystems, live and stuffed animals, clouds, waterfalls and lava, organized by a kind of poetic logic, makes up the visual material. The disjunction between text and image is programmatic, and in parallel they constitute a form of free poetic expression. The precariousness of existence is evidence, and the very composition of the images is in line with this empirical confirmation. The general discourse oscillates between a heterodox Franciscan Christianity and a sensitive Darwinism, and in the same way a kind of awareness of terror and amazement towards the universe is combined.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman, Clara, embarks on a journey to discover the truth about her deceased father's past. As she delves into his life, she uncovers hidden secrets and confronts the complexities of memory and identity. The film explores the lingering impact of the past on the present and the search for closure.
Critical Reception
El asombro received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its subtle storytelling and emotional depth. The film was noted for its nuanced portrayal of grief and memory, though some found its pacing to be deliberately slow. It was recognized for its artistic merit within independent cinema circles.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its introspective and delicate exploration of memory and loss.
Santiago Loza's direction was commended for its understated yet impactful style.
The performances, particularly by the lead actress, were highlighted for their authenticity.
Google audience: Audience reception for El asombro is not widely documented through large-scale platforms like Google reviews, but its appreciation within film festival circuits and by critics suggests a thoughtful engagement with its themes of personal history and emotional discovery.
Awards & Accolades
Selected for participation in the TorinoFilmLab (2012) and the Cine en Construcción section of the San Sebastian International Film Festival (2013).
Fun Fact
The film's narrative structure and visual style were influenced by the director's interest in amateur photography and the way personal archives can reconstruct fragmented pasts.
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