El norte sobre el vacío

No pun intended - sometimes words do not mean what you (I) may think they mean. I thought vacio means vacation - couldn't be more wrong as I found out (means something in the vain of empty). Now the movie itself is anything but empty (doesn't mean you may feel a kind of emptiness while/during or after watching the movie) ... no matter the direction you watch it from (norte means north).

The movie is quite harsh - feels like reality and the life of our characters is not easy. And authorities are not making it easier for them - actually the opposite is the case. Sometimes life can be frustrating - and the movie does show some of those times - is that another pun? Well anyhow, the movie is really well done and a small jewel of sorts ...

I stumbled onto this movie on Prime and really enjoyed it. It reminded me of old Russian movies by the likes of Sokurov, with its slowly moving wide shots, lots of narrative elements in the excellent soundtrack and at times the camera being with the off-action instead of the on, while we only hear the on-action. Masterful camera work and a very good sound mix.

The futility escaping fate is transported credibly. Makes you feel sorry for the people of Mexico who often cannot rely on the authorities to protect them, one of the great scandals of our time that gets little attention in the world.

A very calm yet intense movie, I recommend it.