"The Heart of the Earth", evidently was a big deal in Spain where a reportedly 13 million euros went into the production of this misguided film that leaves the viewer cold, when all is said and done. Based on a novel by Juan Cobos Wilkins, it takes the viewer back to a time when the Riotinto copper mine was in operation in Spain's province of Huelva. It chronicles the tragic events of the last century in which the mine was being exploited by the English who had an enclave near where it was located.
We are told a story that is seen by two young girls, Blanca and Katherine. Blanca was a local girl, while Katherine came from class and privilege. The two girls loved getting in all kinds of mischief, involving one that will stay with them forever for they were the witness of a carnage from the Civil Guard of many miners that dared oppose the company that employed them under precarious conditions. The miners wanted to make a stand about the conditions in the workplace and the noxious fumes from the many smokestacks that made sick the locals as well as the men that extracted the ore.
As directed by Antonio Cuadri, the film does not impress as perhaps it was intended. Perhaps the problem is in the casting and in the stereotypes shown in the story. One does not believe for a moment on what is going on. To add injury, the producers of this film insisted in bringing different actors from Spanish speaking countries as well as mixing some American and British players. The result is a cacophony of accents that is harsh on the viewer's ears. Worst off is Jorge Perigurria, the Cuban actor from "Strawberry and Chocolate", sporting a ridiculous mustache, who we are made to believe is the mayor of the town, a stretch of the imagination, indeed.
We are told a story that is seen by two young girls, Blanca and Katherine. Blanca was a local girl, while Katherine came from class and privilege. The two girls loved getting in all kinds of mischief, involving one that will stay with them forever for they were the witness of a carnage from the Civil Guard of many miners that dared oppose the company that employed them under precarious conditions. The miners wanted to make a stand about the conditions in the workplace and the noxious fumes from the many smokestacks that made sick the locals as well as the men that extracted the ore.
As directed by Antonio Cuadri, the film does not impress as perhaps it was intended. Perhaps the problem is in the casting and in the stereotypes shown in the story. One does not believe for a moment on what is going on. To add injury, the producers of this film insisted in bringing different actors from Spanish speaking countries as well as mixing some American and British players. The result is a cacophony of accents that is harsh on the viewer's ears. Worst off is Jorge Perigurria, the Cuban actor from "Strawberry and Chocolate", sporting a ridiculous mustache, who we are made to believe is the mayor of the town, a stretch of the imagination, indeed.