Genesis

After watching AFTERMATH - I didn't know what to expect from Nacho Cerda and GENESIS. I personally did not like AFTERMATH, not due to it being "disgusting" or "shocking", but because I just didn't get the point. I feel that AFTERMATH has been severely over-hyped due to it's subject matter, and that while it was a beautifully shot film, it just didn't have anything going for it, in my opinion. Not so with GENESIS - although the subject matter was not nearly as controversial, and there is very little in the "gore" department, GENESIS is one of the most well put together, hauntingly beautiful films I've ever seen. Not only is the camera-work itself crisp and clear, but the score and sound FX are absolutely perfect. The short centers around a man (Pep Tosar from AFTERMATH)whose wife is killed in an auto accident. He lovingly recreates her in sculpture, and the sculpture begins to come alive. As the sculpture of his wife begins taking on flesh and blood, the sculptor himself begins to turn to stone. GENESIS is not a "horror" film in the strict sense of the word. It is more a tragic love story dealing with themes of life,love, loss and death. I really don't know what to say about it, other than it is a real gem of a film and shows what a great director Cerda can be if approaching the right subject matter. Even though I personally was not at all impressed with AFTERMATH, GENESIS on the other hand is a masterpiece of a short film and makes me really want to see what Cerda will do next. Highly recommended 9 1/2 out of 10

It's best if you approach this short without knowing what to expect. Then you can immerse yourself in the journey that it takes you on. In particular, the use of colour is brilliant. Genesis is washed out and if colour is used it is mostly weak sepia tones. This serves as a stark backdrop to the occasional, yet perfectly timed, splashes of vibrant colour. Reds, greens and even flesh tones are heightened to a level rarely seen elsewhere.

The slow and deliberate orchestral score provides the only narrative to this piece. Not that it needs anything else. This is all about exploring how much the artist (both the director and the lead character) is willing to invest in their art.

I can see why this would be too slow for some, but anyone who feels that way is missing the point. Accept it for what it is and you will walk away enlightened, like any good piece of art should.

If you have seen Cerda's film "Aftermath" you are sure to like this one. While I thoroughly can enjoy a good gore film, an actual story, good acting and artistic expression is a plus. "Genesis" Is all that. A hauntingly beautiful film in which a man creates a sculpture in the image of his dead wife. It's about mourning and how far people are willing to go for the ones they love. Even when the man notices what is happening he still keeps trying to finish the sculpture with all his might.

Genesis (1998)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Another Spanish horror film from Nacho Cerda. A man accidentally kills his woman in a car wreck and to keep her memory alive he sculps a life size figure of her. Soon after the figure is complete, the thing starts to bleed and slowly comes to life. This one here isn't as good as the above film but it does have several nice moments and some very good direction. The gore factor isn't nearly as high but the film is just as effective.

Available on DVD with the director's 1994 film Aftermath.

After experiencing Aftermath I sat down to watch this thinking I was in for another gross out horror-fest, but how wrong I was. Genesis couldn't be further away from the full on gore of Aftermath if it tried. Its just beautiful, simply beautiful. The use of Classical music (which Im not even a fan of) ebbs in and out like waves on a shore, and there's a point about half way through where some light choral music rises in the background almost bringing you to tears. I will watch this again for sure, and Im so pleased to have it in my collection. In a way Im glad this director returned with something to show hes not just a one trick pony trying to sicken people with controversial horror. Genesis surely is a recommended short for anyone into dark cinema or not.