Bwana

Drama with racist elements ; including enjoyable performances and adequate set design . it deals with Antonio (Andres Pajares) , a taxi driver, his spouse (Maria Barranco) , and two children (Alejandro Martinez ,Granero) arrive one sunny evening at a lonely beach , looking for sea-shells . However, they will encounter more than expected : namely, Ombasi (Emilio Buale) who shouts 'Indurain' and Yambo (Nang) , two illegal African immigrants , supposedly thrown back to sea from a sunk ship where they came , in search for a better life in Spain . The sunny ambient , and the afternoon , night and morning which follow they find other strange characters entering the scenario , such as drunken people , skinheads , smugglers , violent riders before the Africans' and the other roles' fates are ultimately decided .

This is an tragicomedy that blends tragic elements and irony . Interesting drama set in the 90s and filmed on wonderful landscapes from Almeria , where in the 6o were filmed lots of Spaghetti Western . A serious/ironic film about xenophobia and racism in which white roles predominate and African characters provide background . This is a typical example of Comedy-drama also known as Dramedy,tragicomedy, comedic drama, or Seriocomedy , in fact , is a genre that combines elements of comedy and drama, having both humorous and sometimes serious content . Imanol Uribe , also writes the script along with with Francisco Pino , based on play titled "La Mirada del Hombre Oscuro¨ by Ignacio del Moral , filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . Hard-edge social dramedy centers around racial conflicts and is one of the most strange cinematic forays in this theme . The flick can be defined as a realistic tragicomedy , a familiar fresco with racism and a social fable . Because the story needs a vibration more real than the one offered in this sometimes slow-moving flick , though also contains humorous and sensitive moments . Anyway, its is compensated with the great performances from Andres Pajares , recent his prize in Cannes Festival for ¡Ay Carmela! and Maria Barranco , interpreters who provided a considerable boost to the result . Imanol is a great director of actors and the main players are complemented by a good cast of secondaries ; all of them forming a powerful human group and giving excellent interpretations . Special mention to magnificent musical score by Jose Nieto who composes an evocative as well as sensitive musical score . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe and a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence , every space ; being filmed in Parque Natural Cabo Gata-Níjar, Almería, Andalucía . Aguirresarobe who subsequently would make a prestigious career in Hollywood such as ¨Fright night , ¨The twilight saga: eclipse¨, ¨The road¨ , ¨The others¨ and many others . The movie participated in 1996 San Sebastián International Film Festival Award and Won Golden Seashell Imanol Uribe and Prize of the Jury Best Cinematography Javier Aguirresarobe and Nominated Goya Best Director , Imanol Uribe , Best Film and Best New Actor Emilio Buale .

This Antonio Cardenal production was professionally written by Joan Potau and Imanol Uribe who also directed , though has some flaws and resulted to get an average success at Spanish Box office . Uribe who lived and had a son with actress María Barranco , gained fame early in his career for his controversial socio-political portraits of the Basque people , such as ¨Fuga Segovia¨, ¨Muerte Mikel¨ and he turned to thriller as ¨Adios Pequeña¨, ¨Running out of time¨ , ¨Plenilunio¨ , ¨Carta Esferica¨ , ¨Dias Contados¨ and drama as ¨Bwana¨ , ¨Rey Pasmado¨ and ¨Extraños¨ .

I don't know much about the Spanish mentality and the blackest depths of Spanish souls. This movie seems to be an (unusual) account of these. I don't think the characters are completely made up by the screenwriters, only to construct a shocking story about racism. There are drunken criminals and violent skinheads in the movie - figures often appearing in films; all right. But the fact that Antonio and his family represent the ordinary lower class Spanish family with all their attitudes and manners really shocked me. The way director Uribe paints his main characters is really, really cruel. I do hope it's exaggerated.

Above all, this is an excellent movie. It creates a not customary tension most of the time and mixes irony with tragedy. The photographer also did great work and caught beautiful shots of the picturesque landscape which seems a little artificial - well, dunes always do. Only the dialogues between the family members are a bit unrealistic but I mentioned that already.

I gave this movie 8 stars out of 10 and if you ever spot it anywhere, watch it until the end because the final scenes are especially well-done. It's a small, great movie.

BWANA, which opened the 1996 Miami Hispanic Film Festival, was also one of the fest's highlights. A thriller, serving as social commentary on the situation facing African immigrants in 90's Spain, the film presents both sides of the issue fairly, and also succeeds as tense entertainment. Actor turned Director Imanol Uribe does a fine job of directing veteran actors Maria Barranco, Andres Pajares and a good ensemble cast.