Even The Rain

DVD release: November 6, 2012.
Distributed by: Image Entertainment
Dir. by Icíar Bollaín
Starring: Gael García Bernal, Luis Tosar, Juan Carlos Aduviri, Karra Elejalde
Year: 2010
Purchase From Amazon

The Movie:

Dedicated at its opening to the memory of Howard Zinn, set in Bolivia and concerned with a film crew that comes too close to a local water supply political clash Even The Rain is a message movie that gets it right.

Making a film about Columbus and the New World and the priests that spoke out against native exploitation, director Sebastían (Bernal) and his exec producer Costa (Tosar) are enthusiastic and impassioned about the story. The cast seems quite capable and despite some drunken socialist protestations from their lead actor Antí³n (Elejalde) about the complicity of the church in the topic of empire and subjugation, everyone seems up to the task.

The film opens with Sebastían and Costa holding an open casting call for natives. Far too many locals have shown up, though, and when they try to reduce their number one man in particular gets vocal about getting a chance for everyone. Sebastían instantly likes this man, named Daniel (Aduviri) and convinces Costa to cast him as the film's lead native, Atuey. Daniel seems like a natural and is clearly a leader, thrilling Sebastían but seriously concerning Costa who sees the production problems such a personality can cause.

And, sure enough, as the shoot progresses, so does the local story of a multinational water company locking up the locals' wells and forcing them to pay exorbitant fees to access their own water. Daniel leads the charge against this in protests where he decries the soulless company for their gross exploitation of the indigenous peoples, stating that they are not even allowed to collect rainwater for their own uses (hence, the film's title). The crew notice this injustice but apart from some grumbling don't take any other notice beyond hoping that Daniel doesn't attract police attention and become unable to finish his big role in the film.

But, naturally, that's what ends up happening and the story shifts to detailing the relationship between Costa and Daniel. Initially, Costa sees all the native extras that he can hire on the cheap, boasting in a call in English to someone else, even in front of Daniel. However, Daniel reveals his knowledge of English and storms off, not to return. Costa is clearly ashamed and seeks to mend the relationship but, really, just to ensure that his film gets completed on-time and on-budget.

As the film progresses we're shown Sebastían's passion for the story of the courageous priests that initially inspired him getting instead overturned by the cry for justice of the native peoples themselves. And as Costa gets more and more frustrated with Daniel he also gets more and more invested with Daniel's story and his life, trying to make Daniel understand his position. But, ultimately, it's Costa who understands Daniel's position, that some things are more important than a movie and that the water truly is life for his people. Even at the end, Costa finally makes his own sacrifice, putting his own life in danger to help Daniel's wife and daughter reach safety as the protests violently escalate. Together, Costa and Daniel understand the cost involved for doing the right thing, measured in very personal, close terms and yet providing hope for a better future at the same time.

Audio/Video/Extras:

This DVD from Image Entertainment is presented in 2.35:1 widescreen with a note that it's enhanced for 16x9 TV's and the finished product shows it. The cinematography regularly takes advantage of the lush Bolivian countryside and this setup gets to show that off nicely. Not much to complain about otherwise here, either, as even the few night scenes still aren't wholly swallowed up in darkness. The Spanish-language soundtrack is available in either 5.1 Dolby Digital or 2.0 Stereo and the 5.1 really bolsters the film, especially during the chaotic riot scenes. Subtitles come in English, French and Spanish (the latter, I assume, since some of the dialog from the locals is in their native tongue instead). The film's trailer is the only other extra item included here.

The Final Word:

As the filmmakers realize their own exploitative tendencies, when trying to condemn those tendencies, they react in fear, hopeless resignation or positive action. Even The Rain examines the very real and very human nature of protest and what the costs associated with standing in the right truly are. Even-handed and fairly balanced, the story comes to its full fruition only when two strong characters who once opposed each other can embrace as friends who've survived together.