7/10
Intense drama rural with good cast and including gorgeous outdoors from Valley of Pas , Cantabria
29 March 2014
Rural tragedy set in wonderful landscapes and starred by a nowadays Spanish all-star-cast such as Luis Tosar , Marta Etura , Clara Lago , Juan Diego and being compellingly directed by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon . It is set in Valle De Pas , next to Torrelavega , Cantabria , North of Spain ; there farmers are being forced to limit their milk production in order to satisfy the E.U. (European Union) regulation . Long years of hatred and festering resentments among two families facing each other and terminating into a burst of violence . There takes place a struggle over the prize milk cow and it leaves a farmer dead and another fearful of detention . A countryman lives with his two daughters (Marta Etura , Clara Lago) along with their cows and farm animals . The farmer called Gildo (Juan Diego) and his daughter Val (Marta Etura) scheme to keep the cause of death quiet , but tensions arise when Val falls in love with the dead farmer's son, Rai (Luis Tosar) , a hairdresser in the city who has returned to Valley Pas to the funeral . At the end takes places a contest at Torrelavega livestock market and a final twist of unexpected consequences .

This interesting film deals with a tragedy of human emotions pushed over the edge . This is an intense rural drama crammed with social habits , intrigue , family relationship and a love story . Its style is pretty much sour , dry and realistic as well in the atmosphere as in the fresh dialog . This film describes the rural life , including a character studio of local people and an enjoyable love story among a young couple . Well played by known and notorious actors such as Luis Tosar as a hairdresser estranged from his father attempting to find out the truth , Marta Etura as the young countrywoman who follows faithfully orders her father ; both of whom were a happy couple in real life , though recently their lovely relationship has been broken . And Clara Lago as a teen of lurid imagination and special mention to veteran Juan Diego as a grumpy farmer who attempts to protect his daughter . Good production design by prestigious Felix Murcia and correctly reflecting the atmosphere by that time and location . Splendid photography with juicy atmosphere by Gonzalo Berridi . Being appropriately filmed on location , showing one colorful filming from Valle De Pas , Cantabria , North of Spain .

The motion picture perfectly produced by magnificent producer Gerardo Herrero was rightly directed by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon , a good Spanish movies director . Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón was born on January 2, 1942 in Torrelavega, Cantabria, where uses to set most of films , including Valley Pas . He is a writer and director, known for Habla, Mudita (1973), Camada Negra (1977) , Maravillas (1981) , Demonios en el Jardín (1982) , Feroz (1984) , Visionarios (2001) , Todos Estamos Invitados (2008) . He began working in cinema in 1973 when he filmed ¨Habla Mudita ¨ , this debut feature by acclaimed Spanish director deals with a strange relationship between a mature men and a mute villager and also set in rural country from Valley Pas. Manuel Gutierrez is a well recognized filmmaker both nationally and internationally, and in proof of it he won many prizes among which there are the following ones : David di Donatello Awards , Moscow International Film Festival , and San Sebastian International Festival award to ¨Demonios en Jardin¨ , Goya Awards 1987 to ¨La Mitad del Cielo¨ , Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain and Berlin Internation Festival 1996 to ¨Rey del Rio¨ , Biarritz International Festival awards and Goyas 2003 to ¨Caballero Don Quijote¨ , among others .
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