Echoes of "Eurasia." One against all, or the habit of people getting into other people's affairs. From 24 to 30 September this year, the International Film Festival “Eurasia” was held in the city of Almaty. Sections of the review of world cinema were divided into:
Main competition;
Short Meter Competition;
- Panorama;
- Documentary Eurasia;
- Child Eurasia;
Special screening and plus two separate sections for Soviet and Kazakh cinema.
During the entire period, I watched 16 films: 10 from the Panorama, 4 from the Main Competition, 1 from the Documentary Section and 1 from the Special Screening. This time we will talk about the film from Argentina - "Paulina"
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It was the fourth of five movies I’ve seen in a whole day. 12 p.m. to 23 p.m. There was enough strength, so I did not feel tired. It was also the first South American film seen at the festival. Spanish "La Patota" can be translated as "Street Gang", although the Russian title of the film is "Pauline". Both options have a right to life. The main plot conflict takes place between the main character and a group of young guys, because of which others easily appear. For all the heinousness of the crime, it is worth admitting that the girl simply was in the wrong place and at the wrong time. It remains to be seen: why and why?
As befits the vast majority of festival films, Pauline deals with a rather serious topic. The first shot, shot in a long plan, immerses the viewer in an emotional dialogue between father and daughter. An authoritative judge in his region is filled with love and care for his only child. Naturally, he wants a better future for the girl, so he persuades her to practice law. But Paulina is adamant, because she decided to move to the remote wilderness to do a good deed to the poor – to educate at school. A caring father eventually gives up.
During the viewing more than once and not twice catch yourself thinking that the main character is a tough nut. After being raped, she doesn't get depressed, she doesn't take her legs out of the village, she doesn't get killed by absolutely nothing. A strong inner core is reinforced by striking stubbornness. The girl, of course, reports the fact of abuse, but allegedly has no idea who could do it. In fact, she easily recognizes whose hands this case is, and calmly decides to deal with the villain personally. The problem (is it a problem?) is complicated by the fact that in addition to his father, Paulina has a boyfriend. Men want justice, the good, resources and connections of the judge allow. The victim does not need any help!
The film Santiago Mitres considers the clash of characters from all angles. All the people around the main character sincerely do not understand her behavior and actions. They are almost on the verge of collapse, but the girl decisively shrugs off interference in her personal business. The plot vividly demonstrates a very life situation, when people (be they relatives, acquaintances and even strangers) always actively try to get into the personal affairs of a certain person. The paradox is that, stocking up on good intentions, they end up risking much more wood. Where's the help? Cold sanity and hot emotions are often the worst allies.
Argentinian cinema ends as it began. Father and daughter are again alone, again they are engaged in an emotional dialogue, again paternal lamentations are easily broken into the stone stubbornness and unshakable calm of the beloved child. "Paulina" also indicates that a woman does not need to be a defenseless victim. In real life, it is not uncommon to meet physically weak but spiritually strong women. Of course, rape always involves a strong humiliation, but sometimes even this does not affect the concrete psyche. At times more can make nervous other people's noses. In general, a rather ambiguous movie that can leave mixed feelings.
7 out of 10