Upon discovering several DVD’s produced or with stories set in Peru at the Sacramento Public library, I indulged in a mini movie marathon weekend, which left me with a head full of subtitles and a yearning to know more about this colorful, culturally-rich country.
Muy guapo calor, Jason Day, one of the raisons de hermoso to watch Máncora
Máncora is a delicious film by Peruvian director Ricardo de Montreuil, about a distantly-related stepbrother and sister reunited by tragedy. This film, set in Lima and Mancora, has lust, partying and spirit quests with hallucinogenic Ayahuasca, infidelity, road trip scenery through beautiful Peruvian coast, and a nice plot twist at the end. After the first scene I realized I had seen it a year ago, but watched it again, and it was just as good the second time. (My friend Oscar in Lima disagreed, instant messaging me: “Chica this film is bad.” Hm… las “chick flicks” de Peru? es Posible!)
Manolo Cardona y Bárbara Mori hablan secretos en La Mujer de Mi Hermano
La Mujer de Mi Hermano, also by Ricardo de Montreuil, is a film about a modern couple of 10 years experiencing intimacy issues and their rebellious artist brother (in-law) who intervenes with unapologetic machismo to stirs things up. The film moves quickly past the title, focusing on steamy love scenes with Uruguay-born, Mexican actress Barbra Mori and Colombian actor Manolo Cardona, but sadly it is not enough sustenance, and the plot twist left me feeling squirmy about so-called “normal life.”
Cinematographie Bueno: Magaly Solier collapses on la cama in Altiplano
Altiplano features the beautiful, native Peruvian actress Magaly Solier in a strong character role as Saturina and her beloved, Ignacio (played by rugged, statuesque Edgar Quispe) who live in an Andean village contaminated by mercury poison from a nearby mine. A plot within a plot depicts a former war photographer and her physician husband caught up in the riot that ensues. The photographer/physician couple did not intrigue me half as much as the stunning, raven-haired villagers of this striking film.
Fausta la flora: Magaly Solier is heartbreaking and beautiful
La Teta Asustada (The Milk of Sorrow) also features Magaly Solier, this time in a heartbreaking role as Fausta, a demure loner who grieves for her dead mother and believes she has a rare disease contracted from her months within the womb. Fausta oddly creates her own method of birth control and the subplot of the film includes a jaded view of a spoiled, city-based pianist for whom she works. The comical wedding scenes set in desert plains are sandy, colorful bittersweet treats for the viewer.
While a trip to Peru may be months away, immersion into the culture via film is a dreamy, satisfying way to get a head start on the expectations of travel. Books are great for reference and information, but there's something magical about watching life played out in action, films that intrigue the viewer to the point of indulgence and escape...