Movielogr

Rating: 7.5 stars

Tags

NWI Spanish cult ritual suicide ritual suicide kidnapping apartment murder nudity elevator Eclipse argentina

All movies seen on 08/27/2014

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Penumbra (2012)

Directed by Adrián García Bogliano, Ramiro García Bogliano

Horror | Thriller

Most recently watched by sensoria, noahphex, jenerator

Overview

A woman hesitantly rents an apartment to an eerie man who she soon realizes has a part in the solar eclipse that is taking place.

Length 90 minutes

Actors

Cristina Brondo | Camila Bordonaba | Berta Muñiz | Arnaldo André | Mirella Pascual | Victoria Witemburg | Gustavo Garzon | Hernan Penner | Diego Cremonesi | María Nela Sinisterra | Ana Luna | Omar Gioiosa | Jorge Pinarello | Marisol Tur | Federico Aimetta | Bea Oss | Omar Musa | Sebastián De Caro | Rolf García Puga | Jorge Gallego

Viewing History (seen 3 times)

Viewing Notes

Man, I love this film. I loved it on my first viewing in the midnight slot at FF2011. Since that time almost 3 years later I wondered if I was just caught up in the Fantastic Fest haze since several have panned the film or at least had mixed reactions. I’ve had the film in my queue from the moment it was added but always passed over it for something I haven’t seen.

Since it was finally expiring tonight I jumped on a revisit. Interestingly after my recent viewing of ASMODEXIA at BCHFF last weekend I felt the urge to watch this again. The films aren’t related other than both being Spanish language horror films (although a loose connection could be made in the cult / ritual aspect of each).

This revisit confirmed my original thoughts; I really adore this movie. A lot of it has to do with lead Cristina Brondo who walks a fine line being both a despicable character and sympathetic victim of circumstances. She’s draws ire for her selfish behavior and yet she really doesn’t deserve the fate that’s befallen upon her. This is a great character piece. Being super sexy helps but I also love how she over enunciates in her normal speech pattern. It’s as though she’s emphasizing every line regardless of the topic. It’s a nice trait very telling of her character.

Also love how this movie is shot with downward and upward angles. Looking down on the characters or up towards the sun. Beautifully executed to contrast the confinement of the apartment building with the solar eclipse occurring in the sky.

That the central thrust of the story is never spelled out or telegraphed seems to be one of the criticisms but that’s another aspect I truly enjoy. Who are these people and what exactly are they attempting with the ritual that they claim is not a ritual. We’re left to infer what may be happening (which isn’t difficult) yet there’s no explicit dialogue to tell us. Everything is shown in actions from the opening the scene. Even the bizarre dialogue between the followers and Marga only hints at what may be happening.

My only quibble with the film is in the final epilogue sequence which is a bit of a letdown esp. in the last shot. The implication that Marga would be detained and possibly incarcerated for what transpires is silly. Clearly evidence would prove she did not commit the crimes. Unless Bueno Aires’ law enforcement is corrupt and use no forensics. It would have the same impact if it was merely an unsolved and inexplicable mystery, i.e. what really did occur? Marga is left shaken and traumatized by the events.

I want to believe that ultimately she is exonerated yet so affected by the events that it leads to her change in attitude. At least that’s how it plays out in my mind.

Never thought I’d end up writing this much about the film but I guess I really do adore it.

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