Tag: gerardo olivares

Sometimes you really don’t need people. “The Lighthouse of the Orcas” (“El faro de las orcas”, 2016)

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directed by Gerardo Olivares
© 2016 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

This production is based on a real story and I’m glad that there are people who find such important to share. I watched it without knowing it’s inspired by a real human being and his actions and I read more about it after the projection. However, even without being aware of it, I still liked the film. Roberto Bubas (Joaquín Furriel), also called ‘Beto’, is an Argentinian ranger living on his own. His one and only love are orcas that he looks after. One day he finds a woman and a little boy at his place. Lola (Maribel Verdú) and her son Tristán (Joaquín Rapalini) come to ask for help. They saw Beto on TV and decided to pack their things and visit him. But not just because they are fans of orcas or lonely rangers. Tristán is autistic, which means he has difficulties sharing emotions. However, when he saw the man on the screen, he got excited. Lola, willing to do anything to help her son, wants Tristán to meet the orcas, which, perhaps, may facilitate his emotional expression. At first Beto isn’t very much thrilled about their company, but at some point he notices differences in the boy’s behaviour and tries to support both Lola and Tristán. There are so many beautiful elements in this story. First, we have the mother who really fights for her child’s life quality. Second, we have the boy who finds comfort not among people, but animals, which is a very interesting case to study and discuss. And third, we have Beto who also feels a strong connection with the orcas, despite not having any disorder like the boy. I mean, at some point you will learn more about them all, but I don’t want to share too much. Still, I think it’s a decent tribute to Beto and his life. Definitely inspiring.

My rating: 6.5/10
S.

Desert knows you better. “4 latas” (2019)

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directed by Gerardo Olivares
© 2019 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Probably the most interesting film about reunions I’ve seen. And I don’t mean it’s full of plot twists (actually, there are some) or that it’s full of incredible adventures (which also take place)… Okay, this film IS entertaining. But what I liked the most about it was its originality. Because the story isn’t about the reunion itself. It’s about making this reunion happen. We have Jean Pierre (Jean Reno) and Tocho (Hovik Keuchkerian) who are old friends. One of them, Tocho, receives a letter from their third friend Joseba, who announces that he’s seriously ill and is soon going to die. Tocho informs Jean Pierre about this and both of them want to go to see Joseba one last time. They contact his daughter Ely (Susana Abaitua) and she says she wants to join them. But there’s one condition. They need to go by car. And not any car. By her father’s car, which is Renault 4. And as you may be guessing, those amigos agree. They actually drive that car all the way to Timbuktu. So why should you see this film? First of all, it’s not like any other one about a reunion. It really shows the power of male friendship without any obscure scenes. Second of all, they happen to have quite typical adventures while driving through the desert, but they experience them in an extraordinary way. Jean Pierre and Tocho are totally different from each other and there’s also Ely, a very stubborn young woman. So we have a mix of personalities in the middle of nowhere. And third of all, Jean Reno of course. I’m a huge fan of this man and his characters always make me think of that one film he played in… Maybe you know which one that is. If you don’t, I can just say his name in that film starts with L. Anyway, a very sweet story about a friendship.

My rating: 7/10
S.