A few mornings ago I was watching BBC News near the end of the morning 6.00-9.00 slot when it starts to become trivial. That morning they were discussing the existence of a test to see whether someone is ‘cultured’ or not with an extensive list of criteria. I couldn’t believe it. One of those criteria was whether you watch subtitled films. I was stupefied. Watching it was one of those rare moments of relief when I could justifiably look down on those higher in society than me. Relatos Salvajes (Wild Tales) is a subtitled film, as I currently cannot understand spoken Argentinian-Spanish, and it’s not aimed at any one kind of person. It’s about things everyone knows: the wildness in all of us – by which I mean emotions and instincts not insanity – and the acceptable limits of expressing that instinct in modern society.
Relatos Salvajes is an anthology film meaning that it is made up of numerous short unconnected stories all portraying one theme: wildness (it has six stories over a 120 minute running time). The protagonists range in personnel, class, gender and age to really solidify the idea that wildness can be irrepressible in us all. It’s not subtle or teasing about that and puts out it's stall quickly. What really stimulates the viewer is not that over-arching theme but the tone of the stories. I was lulled and then fooled by the first story which unsettled me to the edge of my seat; exactly what the director intended I’m sure. From then on I was expecting more equally good story-telling. There was only one story I remember which disrupted the overall rhythm, delivering it's punch right at it's end.
The humour was also well done; aptly black and rationed. The wedding story in particular comes to mind. You feel like a trapped guest experiencing events unfold, oscillating uncontrollably between the sympathetic and the shocking. Its relentless havoc and I was disappointed when order resumed in its own way. The original music in the film is stylish when used e.g. haunting lullaby for the Demolition worker, and the camera work occasionally unusual e.g. fixed camera on the glass revolving door during chase between the bride and groom showing the groom’s pushing hand desperately splaying.
This film is a portrait of wildness not a study or analysis of it. I didn't spend the film trying to figure out its theme, I knew what it was. At one point I was mentally ticking in my head each facet of wildness that was being portrayed but this was putting concentration into the wrong areas. If there is a social critique in the film it does not concern how they were being wild but why. If there is an underlying question which affected the choice of stories I would say that it was “Is it ever just to be wild?” Our main characters are found in situations where they’ve acted civilly and they’ve been treated badly. Because of this, I often sympathized with them and felt obliged to pardon their means to a fair end. But I would stress that the overriding feeling when watching this film is exhilaration watching someone act on instinct, wildly.
If you want two hours of entertainment or discussion afterwards, you can have both with this film. The violence, the drama and the humour broaden its’ appeal while questions of our own limits and place in society can also be found - What would I do in those situations? How far do my emotions determine my actions? Etc. These questions may arise after viewing but you’d be foolish to consider them too long during the film. The stories are too short. You should let yourself be taken away by these stories and enjoy the ride. I found it funny, tense and absorbing but maybe I’m just ‘cultured’.
Waste of time? No, 3 almost 4/5.
Relatos Salvajes is an anthology film meaning that it is made up of numerous short unconnected stories all portraying one theme: wildness (it has six stories over a 120 minute running time). The protagonists range in personnel, class, gender and age to really solidify the idea that wildness can be irrepressible in us all. It’s not subtle or teasing about that and puts out it's stall quickly. What really stimulates the viewer is not that over-arching theme but the tone of the stories. I was lulled and then fooled by the first story which unsettled me to the edge of my seat; exactly what the director intended I’m sure. From then on I was expecting more equally good story-telling. There was only one story I remember which disrupted the overall rhythm, delivering it's punch right at it's end.
The humour was also well done; aptly black and rationed. The wedding story in particular comes to mind. You feel like a trapped guest experiencing events unfold, oscillating uncontrollably between the sympathetic and the shocking. Its relentless havoc and I was disappointed when order resumed in its own way. The original music in the film is stylish when used e.g. haunting lullaby for the Demolition worker, and the camera work occasionally unusual e.g. fixed camera on the glass revolving door during chase between the bride and groom showing the groom’s pushing hand desperately splaying.
This film is a portrait of wildness not a study or analysis of it. I didn't spend the film trying to figure out its theme, I knew what it was. At one point I was mentally ticking in my head each facet of wildness that was being portrayed but this was putting concentration into the wrong areas. If there is a social critique in the film it does not concern how they were being wild but why. If there is an underlying question which affected the choice of stories I would say that it was “Is it ever just to be wild?” Our main characters are found in situations where they’ve acted civilly and they’ve been treated badly. Because of this, I often sympathized with them and felt obliged to pardon their means to a fair end. But I would stress that the overriding feeling when watching this film is exhilaration watching someone act on instinct, wildly.
If you want two hours of entertainment or discussion afterwards, you can have both with this film. The violence, the drama and the humour broaden its’ appeal while questions of our own limits and place in society can also be found - What would I do in those situations? How far do my emotions determine my actions? Etc. These questions may arise after viewing but you’d be foolish to consider them too long during the film. The stories are too short. You should let yourself be taken away by these stories and enjoy the ride. I found it funny, tense and absorbing but maybe I’m just ‘cultured’.
Waste of time? No, 3 almost 4/5.