Errementari

I don't know if the dubbed version just sucks or what. While not any kind of "purist" I watched this movie subbed. I'm sure some of the folklore bits sailed over my American head, but this movie is absolutely amazing. The acting, superb. For what isn't a blockbuster movie, the special effects are quite good. The whole feel of the world has a fantastic dark fairytale reality. If you're looking for a slasher movie, this isn't it. But it's a charming fascinating and beautiful retelling of an old folktale sprinkled with some comedic bits. Seeing it on Netflix I actually thought it was going to be a piece of schlocky European horror. Boy was I wrong.

Currently out on Netflix, Errementari is a Basque film, a dark fairy tale kind of like the Brothers Grimm based on a European fable. In it, a young girl comes across a blacksmith who has trapped a demon.

The whole thing is well done. It captures the roughness of original fairy tales without trying to make this a straight-out horror movie.

The best part is the whole look of the thing. The demon design is based on medieval drawings of Hell. The demons have this retro look that is both fun, but also a little unsettling.

What a great find I stumbled on. So refreshing to watch a film, which does not have to rely on big budgets and flashy special effects. Simply a great piece of story-telling, like watching a live theatre show.

An intriguing visualization of a classic Basque folklore tale representing the hubris of humankind and the question of what is good and evil. Oddly rewarding and disappointing at the same time; rewarding in the sense of a well designed period piece and visualization of a region-specific folktale, but disappointing in the casting choices and acting methods of some of the roles.

I was impressed with the boldness of the religious hypocrisy portrayed in this film as well as the representation of Hell as seen from the 19th century Christian church. I find it interesting how different cultures find similarities in Hell while completely changing other facets of its representation.

Although I would not recommend multiple viewings of this film, and in the end it left me a bit underwhelmed, I would recommend a single watch simply to see a film version of this folktale and how the director and writers viewed their version of Hell.

A few days ago I stumbled across this film, I expected nothing but it looked interesting and so I gave it a watch. What I got was a well told Basque folktale, that whilst not impressive acting or some visuals (although for such a small budget, even though goofy, the practical effects are really well done) but impressed me is how unique the story is. You get a sense of morality vs religion, which was especially important In the 19th Century of where this film is set. All in all, its a very entertaining movie, you get an interesting story that gives some damn good Horror Fantasy elements that were often gripping.

The thing is, the movie is interesting, especially if you're interested in mythology or movies like the Witch (2016) or Pan's Labyrinth. Whilst not as good as those two, especially in the acting at points, I was definitely entertained. Good movie to watch during the lead up to Halloween. It may not be a film that needs in-depth analysis, I'm not going to spoil anything because that would ruin the experience for you but give it a watch. I was personally mixed on the film, I enjoyed it a lot but some elements were underwhelming. Looking for a foreign folk tale, this movie is probably for you, it'd recommend it, there's some great vision here, come in with an open mind and you won't be disappointed.