Kamchatka (2002)

Let's be realistic.

hyped garbage

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

(I think there will not be spoilers)For people who used to play T.E.G. (a society game) the power of a bridge-country in the world map is a well known stuff. Kamchatka is about the resistance of a family, just at the very beginning of 76's, in a recently militarized Argentina where too much people will disappear.Nevertheless, the story is not about the army, either not about physical tortures, or missing people. There is not any trace of documentary aim. Only a camera showing what could happened to a family involved into these sadly events and how could they keep its unity, in a human righted way.The plot is simple and moving. For Argentineans that lived these events at this time -as it was in my case at more or less the same age that the boy tells the story-, a lot of landscapes (cars, costumes, 'cigarettes', slang, ambiance, etc.) will touch them. But this is only an excuse to show the weird dynamics of a family running out of the new dictatorial and potentially murderer establishment. Dialogs are plenty of freshness and simplicity. Images of the village and the 'retiro' are also simple and quiet. One can follow the frustrations and discoveries of the older son without none violence or strangeness, at the same time that we can feel the desperation of the parents to survive. The camera is not exactly the eyes of the son, but a silent eye -judgeless- inviting us to participate to what is going on. The only critics to my eyes are about the playing of the older son, sometimes overacted. Main adult actors (Darin and Roth) are what they finally reached out: two good (may be the best) examples of what Argentina could deserve in play roles. There is something of inexorable maturity in their attitudes and compositions of the characters.Music is calm water all over the movie. No judgement either. Simple and melodic piano riffs, accompanying the different scenes (mainly in the 'huis clos' at the villa, or on the lonely 'praderas bonaerenses').And certainly, the message that wants to deserve Pineyro lays on the title, linked to the first slides and to the last scenes of this great movie. A must to be seen southern pearl. 9/10.

This movie exudes the finesse and maturity of Latin American cinema of the new millenium. Long gone is the exploitation of magical realism and the cult of the exotic. The noble savage gives way to universal characters with very complex feelings.I'm so glad this old baggage of the victim's complex has been checked at the door. The result is a beautiful movie about a family on the run during the 1970's Argentine military junta crack down. Kamchatka is free of the cliches and over-acting of Latin American movies of yesteryear. National identity is no longer the main story line, but rather a subtle backdrop that brings about one of the best stories about political crisis anywhere, the dismembering of a family.Kamchatka has one of the most arresting final scenes that I have ever seen. This is a grand achievement of Argentine film.

Or you'll hate or you'll love it, simple as that and I am quite afraid that I rather hate it. The story itself could have been interesting as we follow a couple who have to escape from their hometown (I suppose due to political reasons but that's never been explained) but everything is seen through the eyes of a boy who is called Harry (his new identity) as in his own created world his hero is Harry Houdini. Oh I wish I could escape from sleep during this movie as it's so dull and slowly filmed that you constantly watch the clock till it's going to end. Naaah sorry, films with a different view are always more than wellcome but they must have been made good as well otherwise...yup, otherwise you're bored.

Marcelo Piñeyro reveals all his quality in this touching story. Darin and Roth are a couple that have to escape from the dictatorship from Argentina, and in this run they must leave all their lives back. Who most suffer this lost are their childrens. The film is touching and emotive. The two child are excellente!!!