SYNOPSICS
Altiplano (2009) is a Spanish,Quechua,French,English,Persian movie. Peter Brosens,Jessica Woodworth has directed this movie. Magaly Solier,Jasmin Tabatabai,Olivier Gourmet,Arturo Anacarino Zarate are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2009. Altiplano (2009) is considered one of the best Drama movie in India and around the world.
War photographer Grace, devastated after a violent incident in Iraq, renounces her profession. Her Belgian husband, Max, is a cataract surgeon working at an eye clinic in the high Andes of Peru. Nearby, the villagers of Turubamba succumb to illnesses caused by a mercury spill from a local mine. Saturnina, a young woman in Turubamba, loses her fiancé to the contamination. Ignorant of its true source, the villagers turn their rage on the foreign doctors, and in the ensuing riot Max is killed. Grace sets out on a journey of mourning to the place of Max's death. Saturnina takes drastic measures to protest against the endless violations towards her people and her land. Grace and Saturnina's destinies merge. ALTIPLANO is a lyrical and probing film about our divided but inextricably linked world.
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Altiplano (2009) Reviews
Impressive
There are films that, not being perfect, have some exceptional moments of cinematic wonder. Altiplano is one of those films. First of all, it's not for everyone. The film is actually a quite complex mix between fiction and documentary, which should't be a surprise considering it's the second feature film from Brosens and Woodworth, creators of Khadak, a film that also lies in this intriguing conception of cinema. But, unlike Khadak, Altiplano has a very strong and story oriented narrative, which is extremely good, since the constant allegorical images that the movie possesses are much more well timed and effective than in Khadak. Apart from the style issues, the movie is a intense journey in the fight between modernism and tradition, nature and city. I don't want to give away anything, because seeing this filme without any kind of expectations (storywise, that is) is the best way to enjoy it. Visually stunning, with a exceptional soundtrack, Altiplano is, despite his flaws, a movie that should be watched for anyone that likes cinema or, at least, original cinema. If you belong to that group, go see it. Don't expect action packed sequences, or determined heroes overcoming evil. Altiplano is about life. Slow, real, and unforgiving.A really good film with some brilliant moments. If you like cinema, take a chance on this one. It's worth it.
powerful
After seeing Khadak, the first film of the creative duo behind Altiplano, I was totally blown away. Soon after I got to see Altiplano and the feeling left after watching Khadak was even topped by the later one. As much as with its story as with its powerful images, Altiplano grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very end. Some visual moments reminded me of a more comprehensible version of Tarkovsky. Same with the previous film, Khadak, directors here don't aim the entertainment-seeking audience, but the one with higher standards. Visually, it is completely different from Khadak, but the same cinematic "language" of the directing duo can be felt in both. The leading star Magaly Solier gives a remarkable performance, which is a carrier of the whole film. Music is a very big part of this film. It blends with every image perfectly and gives extra power to every scene. Bottom line, I would warmly recommend this film to anyone that has the chance to see it.
Received a nice ovation at the Sydney Film Festival
A sad and tragic story about a mining company turning it's back on local Peruvian townspeople. After their village is contaminated by Mercury from the mine (some of the local people wrongly believe it is silver)and people start dying a blockade and protest starts. Ultimately the blockade of the mine proves fruitless...or does it? There is so much more to the story than what I have mentioned and everything from the photography, location, acting and story are all first rate. Heartbreaking and very moving, the resilience of the local people is inspiring whilst the greed of the mining companies will make you want to scream. Who knows how many mines operate in countries such as Peru. I read a similar story in the Guardian about a year ago about an identical situation involving locals in Peru protesting against a huge plant mining for minerals to make batteries. The town has massive health issues and birth defects etc but has received little compensation from the arrogant mine owners in the US. I gather that the Peruvian government should take much of the blame as well for turning a blind eye to such devastating operations. It's not just humans at risk from the effects of industrial waste and pollution. Consider the minerals in many mobile phones and laptops currently being mined in parts of Africa, where land clearing is killing off the gorilla population at a frightening rate. Anyways, back to the film. I highly recommend people seeing this one on the big screen as the mountain backdrops are stunning and show how much these people are tied to the land.
sheer beauty
What to say, have no words to describe... but sheer beauty. The magnificent combination of story, images and music takes it to a higher level, literally! Carefully chosen shots, no more then the necessary words and all through the music, as if it came out of the camera resulting into a complete experience for all senses. You'll find yourself blown away after this movie, and it takes a couple of days to get back to life. Can't wait to see Khadak and State of Dogs, more work from this fine producers Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth. GO EXPERIENCE!
A work of beauty
I saw this movie a few days ago on TV (should have been a movie theater though) and what I write has no link to the fact one of the directors being... Belgian. I'm even ashamed that, upon now, I hadn't been aware of his (joint) work! I rate this beauty "only" a 9, because, to me, 10 means perfection. This one is only just short of it and I really can't understand the 6.7 global rating... Furthermore I can't but subscribe to what "janlhoest" says in his review. Maybe I would add that to me; this is something like a symphony of images, sound and sheer poetry...