6/10
Agreeable and lightweight film about a village organising spectacular funerals to save their business
23 June 2018
The little town of San Hilario uses to celebrate busy funerals organising noisy parties that end in its graveyard. They are keenly awaiting for the arrival of a new client , German Cortes , to spend his last days in the village , but this one dies on a train before reaching his destination . When a strong confrontation between mobsters and policemen takes place , the tough thief Antonio , Luis Homar , escapes and he takes the identity of German Cortes .Then , the good people of San Hilario ends up welcoming the mobster Antonio by mistake and to save their business .

This is a subtle , simple and endering , though rare, tale about the sympathetic villagers who use to make its living from their particular cemetery , but nowadays they need for quick funerals , that's why the people of San Hilario have almost run of work and the inhabitants need urgently to organize fabulous buryings . The film belongs to "Realismo Magico" or Magical Realism tendry , a fantasy style usually developing into the South American writings . This is a dramedy , drama and black comedy, dealing with interesting issues : life and death , redemption , rural habits and an enjoyable love story . Cast is pretty good , giving nice interpretation , such as Luis Homar as the fugitive who is glad to not clarify the misunderstanding , so witnesses in increasing amazement the preparations f his own burying . Ana Fernandez is very fine as the attractive tailor who dresses the corpses and falls for the unfortunate thief . And nice secondaries such as Ferran Rañe, Berliner , Dumont and Juan Echanove as priest Antonio .

This is a Spanish ,Argentina coproduction financed by Filmax Julio/Carlos Fernandez who have produced several hits , such as Terror movies : Romasanta, Mientras duermes, Transsiberian, Summer camp, Retornados , Arachnid, Rottweiler , Rec saga ; Cartoon movies : Gisuku, Donkeyxote, Nocturna , Copito de nieve , and dramas : El lobo , Kovak box , Bullying , among others . It displays an evocative and colorful cinematography shot in Patagonia by Javier Salmones , an expert cameraman who has photographed successes as Alegro ma non Troppo, Finisterre , Romasanta , Retornados , Posesion Emma Evans , Arte de morir , Voz de tu amo and Fie0sta de Chivo .The motion picture was professionally directed by Laura Maña . He is a prestigious actress and filmmaker . As an actress she has played a lot of films , usually in secondary cast such as 13 campanadas, Nowhere , Stand-by , Libertarias , La pasion Turca , La teta y la Luna. As a filmmaker she has directed notorious pictures such as Concepcion Arenal visitadora de carceles , Clara Campoamor , Ni Dios ni patron ni marido, Palabras encadenadas and Sexo por compasion. Rating : Acceptable and passable film . It won the following awards and nominations : Award winner Viareggio Europa Cinema best screeplay , winner Platinum Audience to Laura Maña . Malaga nominee Golden Bizenaga to Laura Maña . And nominee Butaca Awards 2005 best Catalan film Laura Maña and best Catalan film actor to Luis Homar .
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