7 Boxes

With both substance and style. Plenty of style here. We are taken through the maze of a large market place in Paraguay. And the plot – revolving around the main character (who is well played by Celso Franco) – is also a maze with many twists and turns. We are kept guessing as to what will happen next. The characters are all well done – and so are their interactions.

It's a swell film to watch with a reasonably good resolution. I can just imagine what Hollywood would do with this – pouring in loads of explosions and over-the-top gunfights. Instead we get a minimal exposure of violence – and instead of massive noise we get character development.

A low-budget yet high quality movie. From the guts of the impenetrable south American rain forest we have this Pulp-Fictionish Paraguayan flick. Compelling, thrilling, breathtaking. Great acting while it unveils the social reality of people in the borderline of poverty striving to survive... and provide for their families. The veil of the action flick will soon fall showing the naked truth... for the keen eye. For those (like me) who had the chance to visit this country painted with different shades of black and white it will be a sort of revival into the street market with its color, musical "guarany" accent, smells and a sort of human flock growing around you. Scary sometimes but always, always, thrilling. A must-see.

Victor is a teenage boy who works as a wheelbarrow puller in a market of Paraguay, he is been so obsessed about buying a camera phone and also being a Television star. Once he gets a job to deliver 7 boxes with some unknown content for 100$ which is enough to buy a phone. But the deal is that, he will only get the money once he finish the job. Things get messy along the way and unknowingly he becomes a part of crime.

Its a full of chaos thriller with some unpredictable turns and good performance. Good choice for those who explore something different.

A teenager who works as a wheelbarrow delivery boy in a sprawling market in Asunción, Paraguay is given the task of transporting seven mysterious boxes for a big sum of money. He soon discovers the horror of what is in the boxes, while he is pursued by a murderous gang.

It's always very refreshing to see movies from countries with little cinematic output. And that's exactly the situation in the case of 7 Boxes which showcases the cinema of Paraguay. It shares the Latin American energy that so many other films from that part of the world have. But it also does feel specifically Paraguayan with convincing and realistic characters and a very authentic setting. It's a crime thriller but it does differentiate itself from many other films of that type where even the chief bad guy is at least a little sympathetic. He does what he does ultimately for his sick son. He ends up going down his path because he cannot afford the medicine. He, like the other characters, is motivated as a result of the socio-economic situation in which he cannot escape. The movie suggests the hardships and poverty of the lives of the characters can result in some harsh choices.

The acting from the entire cast is good all round. The two kids at the centre of the story hold things together very well, while there are some memorable characters in the periphery such as the bungling kidnappers. There is a good mix of suspense and comedy, while the direction is stylish when it needs to be, taking time to get to know the characters as well. The film ends with all of the strands of the story coming together in a satisfying finale. And when it ends you can't help hoping there will be more films from Paraguay.

What I appreciated the most about this movie was the outstandingly well crafted screenplay. As a foundation to the story, the socio-economical setting is very clearly established from the very beginning as well as each character's background and motivations. With such solid dramatic pillars, the story unfolds organically. No character is good, bad or stereotyped, their actions are a consequence of their history, their situation and their motivations. In the best style of Greek tragedy, the story brings us to discover how characters are unexpectedly connected and how seemingly casual acts have strong and logic consequences.

The direction is very innovative and fresh in camera angles and editing that match well the techno-tropical music.

I would put it up in the same category and caliber with City of Good as a sample of the best of Latin-American cinema.