Review of Mimosas

Mimosas (2016)
6/10
Spanish/French/Morocco co-production with mountainous outdoors from Atlas and Ouarzazate, Morocco
29 November 2022
An agreeable and interesting drama/adventure in Western style with splendid cinematography and gorgeous outdoors from a special place in contemporary Morocco in which a caravan of travelers searches for a pass that will allow them to return an ailing elderly Sufi master to his home to die . An attractive and sensitive story starred by unexperienced but good protagonists and including spectacular outdoors from mountains Atlas, Morocco . Among the party is Ahmed, a rogue and a survivor, who is willing to do whatever it takes to rise up from his unfortunate condition . Ahmed is particularly inspired by the Sufi master , and, upon the old man's death, he has taken the lead of the risky expedition . On his journey, he receives the assistance of Shakib, a young man sent on a mission.

Rural tale set in the High Atlas Mountains at an indeterminate time in the past, including wonderful landscapes , nicely starred and being compellingly directed by Oliver Laxe . This is an enjoyable and intense adventure that follows an expedition throughout dangerous and mountainous landscapes and a particular relationship between the strange characters . Its style is pretty much rural and realistic as well in the atmosphere as in the fresh dialog ; in addition, the plot bears certain resemblance and in similar style to ¨Tommy Lee Jones's The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada¨. This film describes the exploits of a group of travelers led by Ahmed who becomes aware of his own innate abilities and takes up the leadership of the caravan by crossing hard , steep and risky roads , including a brieg character studio of local people and an agreeable relationship among villagers . This provoking drama to be a deep reflection about the human , concerning a group of travelelers , being main aim to help a dying elderly sheikh to pass away and be buried in his native village . This charming film is a touching and sensitive adventurous drama with elevated cinematographic values . The protagonist results to be a ¨Quixote¨ who obstinately undertakes a perilous journey whose objective looks to fulfill the promise by whatever means . The movie shows the different characters and explores their apprehension , ambitions , fears and circumstances . Well played by newcomers who in spite of their unexperience give acceptable interpretations.

Good production design and correctly reflecting the atmosphere by that time and excellent location . Splendid photography with juicy atmosphere by Mauro Herce , a great cameramen of the Spanish cinema . Being appropriately filmed on location , showing one colorful filming from mountains Atlas , Ouarzazate, Aït Benhaddou, Marrakech, Morocco . Adding evocative and spiritual musical score , along with song Sinai written by Al Cisneros performed by Om ,courtesy of Drag City Records . Mimosas was originally directed by Oliver Laxe . His most succesful film is ¨Lo que arde (2019) " in Spanish,¨O que Arde¨or "What It Burns" that won several awards and nominations , such as : Cannes Film Festival 2019 Winner Un Certain Regard Jury Prize : Oliver Laxe. Chicago International Film Festival 2019 Winner Best Sound Design , best sound mixer , sound editor . Oliver Laxeis a director and actor, known for Mimosas (2016), Lo que arde (2019) and Todos vosotros sois capitanes (2010). As this ¨Mimosas¨won numerous prizes and nominations , such as : Almeria Western Film Festival 2017 Winner Grand Jury Award , Award for Technical Artistic Contribution to the Western genre sound designer Emilio García Rivas , Special Jury Award to the best Neowestern Featured Film Oliver Laxe , Best Performance Shakib Ben Omar , Best Cinematography . Mauro Herce . Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema 2017 Winner Special Mention Avant Garde and Genre Oliver Laxe. Cairo International Film Festival 2016 Winner Best Actor Shakib Ben Omar , Golden Pyramid Best Film Oliver Laxe. Cannes Film Festival 2016 Winner Critics Week Grand Prize. Festival de cine de Zaragoza 2016 Winner Special Mention Oliver Laxe. International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights 2017 Winner Youth Jury - Fiction Special Mention Oliver Laxe. Mestre Mateo Awards 2017 Winner Best Director , Best Production Manager Felipe Lage Coro, Nominee Mestre Mateo Best Screenplay.
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