How did I get here?
- The ruthless time that advances arbitrarily in the movie theater; the short nights that bring the long days; the numbers of faces, passes and seats that begin to confuse in the head; the neurotic time and what I lack today to lose: I end the afternoon on Mars.
I have come in search of stability to the presentation of the documentary Tetuan, by Iratxe Fresneda, to reassure me of the wide panoramic and agile images that love the director so much. Tetuan talks about migration, travels outside the director's autobiography and his family. Specifically, the experiences of migrants Mohammed and Irina.
The film is divided into three parts. The first, which we could have considered as the author's temperate variant of the Lowlands, is the most poetic and coarse part. Fresneda's voice-over refers to the fragility of memory, the migration wound and the credibility of images. The second episode gains vitality, while the voice of Mohammed and Irina triumphs. Both invite the viewer to their intimate daily lives, memories of origin, difficulties and plans for the future. In the third chapter of the film, Mohammed and Irina take us to the Sahara and Romania, respectively, to return to a homeland without visiting.
Above the most poetic forms, Fresneda, of Tetan, takes a more humanistic path. Although I am not convinced of the personalistic tone with which it deals with the issue of migration, it is always a pleasure to immerse myself in the imaginary and delicate photograph of the Biscayan director. Achieve a balanced beauty in each plane.
From Tetouan I made eleven stops this Sunday afternoon with Iratxe Fresneda: Texas, Almeria, Pamplona, Sahara, Romania… But how did I get to Mars?
We're going to identify the culprits. Gene del Pozo, Txomin del Pozo, Mila del Pozo and, the last, Amat Vallmajor (for the second time, from the Pozo). Mission to Mars, the indifferent young Amat Vallmajor, is situated in the industrial futuristic atmosphere. As in Tetua, he also competes in the Zinemira section. In the film, Txomin has to travel to Mars for work and asks his brother Gene to accompany him on his journey. A toxic mist that spreads quickly, exciting masks, the dance of death… The journey of that modern (or not so) don Quixote that is offered all. Keeping the mind healthy is a really difficult challenge in Zinemaldia.
The original argument that could fall into insanity is perfectly justified visually. Thus, engraved in 16mm and in black and white, the tape supports itself an apparent amplitude, protected by the songs of the Hertzainak and the funny conversations of the irreverent protagonists who act without a script. In addition, like all old punk, Mission to Mars also keeps its heart bundle. Due to Gene's disease, siblings must stop their journey to Mars and they will spend several days at the home of their sister Mila. Juvenile anecdotes and deep concerns open a gap in the playful melody of the film.
On 29 September, Amat Vallmajor’s first feature film, held at the Elias Querejeta Film School (and also produced there, among others), is premiered in cinemas. The hot Sunday Mission to Mars has been a perfect refreshment to escape an hour and ten minutes from the madness and ambition of the Festival. Finally, it seems that yes, on Mars it will be more joyful than anywhere else.
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