Cannibal

A simple story created by inspired storytelling, admirable performance, high minimalism and the gray atmosphere of a car accident and presumed first help, a fridge and the meat contained by it, a tailor shop and the day between good morning and good evening, a neighbor and the help for her and a silent dinner. The ordinary evil can be the first definition. But the film represents more and the seductive end is the basic proof about impeccable gem.

It's the 2013 one, directed by manuel cuenca ! There are several films with the same name, so it is confusing. The film opens with the viewer watching a couple from a distance. From the viewpoint of carlos (antonio de la torre), observing the couple get back in the car, and leaving the petrol station. This seems to be his m o ..... he follows people in cars, causes an accident, and commits horrible crimes on them. But carlos also has a respectable day job! A tailor. When carlos meets his new, sexy, beautiful neighbor (olimpia molinte), can he stop himself from committing his crimes ? It's a very simple script...not much dialog. And what dialog there is, had to be put up to almost maximum volume on the roku channel version. Several languages are spoken throughout, but fortunately, there are perfectly fine english subtitles to read. Slow, sparse script. The big, obvious question seems to be can carlos change his ways for the right person? Other unanswered questions are ... what caused carlos to start doing this? And why did nina do what she does at the end? Those two questions are not answered by the script, so the viewer will have to come up with their own answers. It's good! Long, at almost two hours.

This is a good movie and it does not deserve the current low rating. I will not repeat what most before me have already said. However, I am adding my small comment just for some of the American audience who is used to the Hollywood clichés and can't comprehend that a film, yes a film not a movie, can actually venture in the realm of psychology. For those who are looking for horror, blood and cheap action thrillers look somewhere else.

This film is a deliberately slow and aesthetic act of seduction that introduces the audience into the transformation of the main character, Carlos. Cuenca carefully hides the monstrousness of his main character and carefully shapes an unexpected outcome.

Very good movie. Strong and deep acting of Antonio de la Torre. As usual. A very good script, very artistic and disturbingly aesthetic. Because there is not a lot of things going on story wise it seems like a psychological study of the character. You are almost wanting this monstrous man to get away with what he does and ultimately find happiness. You are going to be rooting for a sociopath.... For a psychopath. Very intriguing about the Human nature and behavior...

The movie's title isn't ironic. It isn't a metaphor. Carlos really is a cannibal. If you can get past the (few) scenes you should expect as a result, this film will reward you with layers you didn't expect.

Antonio de la Torre plays an understated Carlos. No surprise he's rather obsessive compulsive - makes for one quirky cannibal. The fact that the film doesn't lead you to how exactly he became a cannibal is fine - leaves lots of room for the imagination to work, and there are enough clues to get you started. He also does the majority of his acting without speaking - something one doesn't see a ton of in North American films, and for this I am grateful to the director and writer.

Olimpia Melinte is also very good and understated in her performance, standing up just fine to Carlos as she turns his world upside down.

Kudos to Manuel Martín Cuenca for playing every note perfectly and brilliant casting. And kudos too to Cameron Bailey for putting this in his must see list for TIFF 2013.