This is a movie about the Spanish Civil War. The film didn’t specifically explain the background at the beginning, but the subtitle team intimately informed that this was 1931 after the fall of the Spanish royal family. The newly established republic was crumbling under the attack of churches, landlords, warlords, and fascism.
The total length of the movie is 91 minutes, but I think the real movie only exists in the last 8 minutes.
The plot is so plain that it can pinch the water, the first 83 minutes is the plain Moncho's growth record. But it is rare for me not to fast forward. I think it’s because of the cuteness in the real thing-Moncho who went to school on the first day was scared to pee his pants; the brothers walking on the road were attracted by the band just because they were holding a saxophone; Don Gregorio accompanied him after his retirement. Catching butterflies with Moncho...
There are many echoes in the plot: the appearance of a Chinese girl gave the first experience of youth love; the teacher’s suit appeared twice, but the situation of the teacher twice was embarrassing; the militia that appeared in the distance of the Republican party heralded the fate of the Republicans at the end. . These echoes before and after do not lie in how exquisite the setting is and how suddenly it makes people realize it, but it does make people go back to the previous plot and emotion, and make the whole movie feel more integrated.
Moncho's reversal is the saddest. The image of an innocent child in the first 83 minutes is very ironic after the last 8 minutes. The change in Moncho's parents' attitude is the helpless choice of the small character under the torrent of the times, and his father's final complaint was also crying because he couldn't restrain his inner emotions. Don Gregorio's experience is heartbreaking. Obviously such a gentle and dedicated person, even at the retirement ceremony, still longing for the next generation of "freedom" with emotion, he was still mispaid by this era after all.
The film's narrative technique is plain and true, focusing on narrative rather than performance. It uses simple lens language to express complex and diverse themes. There are thoughts about education—whether education is rude knowledge instillation or patient guidance; there are also beautiful portrayals of youth—the kiss between Roque's sister and Moncho in the pool makes people unable to stop smiling; and yes The helplessness of the torrent of the times-Moncho's parents have no choice but to abandon their position for self-protection.
In the end, Don Gregorio's expression really made people feel cold. Originally, his expression was just numb, but when he saw that his carefully educated "sparrow" turned to him, the numbness was gradually replaced by sadness. Reminiscent of what he discussed with Moncho before: "The hell after death does not exist. Hatred and cruelty are hell. Sometimes, we ourselves are hell."
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