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Released by: Film Movement
Released on: 1/11/11
Director: Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio
Cast: Jorge Machado, Natan Machado Palombini, Nestí³r Marín, Roberta Palombini
Year: 2009
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The Movie:
Jorge and Roberta are from two different worlds, he from Mexico and she from Italy. Together they have a son, Natan, but the relationship doesn't work out and Jorge makes the decision to leave Rome and return to his home, a fishing village on the Chinchorro reef. Five-year old Natan goes with his father for a number of weeks to learn the ways of his father's heritage, and the two of them spend time fishing, diving, and bonding, with Jorge teaching young Natan how to love and respect nature.
Really, that's the story. Alamar is a documentary with narrative elements, which makes for an interesting blend. The father and son relationship is endearing and the world Jorge lives in is simple yet fascinating. Learning how to fish with his father, Jorge quickly re-finds his place in the village and teaches his own son everything he can. A bird, a cattle egret, keeps coming back to their hut on the water for food and seemingly companionship, and the boy really takes to his new friend. Once time is up, Natan returns to his mother in Rome and life goes on.
The photography in Alamar is beautiful. The coral reef is amazing, the scenery lush, the sunsets are spectacular, and the underwater photography is relaxing. The movie is slow, but the life style of the fishing folk seems slow so perhaps this is an intentional technique to help set the mood of the piece. The visuals put the viewer into a relaxed state as everything seems so tranquil. It's a nice experience actually. The film focuses more on the visuals than the dialogue, which is kept quite minimal, and this could be watched without subtitles and be easily understood.
Where this is story taking place in a real life setting there is lots of fish death. If that is bothersome to you as a viewer, it may overshadow the rest of the film.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Presented here by Film Movement with an aspect of 16:9 anamorphic widescreen, Alamar looks wonderful. Filmed with visually pleasing skill, the footage shot on the island is well represented with this transfer. Gorgeous colors and, fine detail result in a great viewing experience. The audio is a simple Dolby Digital track that sounds fine, has a good balance, and no defects to note.
The extras are slim, but decent enough. There's text bio on the director (as well as liner notes on from him on the inside of the cover), roughly seven minutes of extra scenes (with an awesome hermit crab), a trailer for the feature, and trailers for other Film Movement pictures. And then there is a short film, just under five minutes, that consists of amazing animation using sand, set to a song.
The Final Word:
Not for everyone for certain, but may appeal to those who enjoy nature, sociology, or slice o' life items. It's a relaxing film with peaceful scenery. Oh and lots of fish death, if that floats your boat. If Discovery Channel type stuff is your bag, then you can't go wrong watching this interesting meld of documentary story telling. A nice release from Film Movement.
