Los Debutantes

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 12 Mar 2006, 12:07

In an effort to watch more world movies, I've decided to buy Los Debutantes, a film about the Chilliean criminal underworld.

Supposedly it's quite Tarantino-esque... hmmm.... 8)

The DVD is finally down to £7.99 at most places btw.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Mar 2006, 12:35

Is that bikini made of whipped cream or something Bisc?

I have the film in my rental queue BTW

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Mar 2006, 15:10

I've never heard of it. Is Los Debutantes supposed to be any good? I've not seen a Chilean film before, cool.

The UK R2 looks to be the way to go. It has a Making Of, Trailer and Music Video. It also looks to be anamorphic and Spanish DD5.1.

The R1 looks to be bare-bones and only Spanish DD2.0, as is the Japanese R2. OMG that's the same (awesome) picture they've used for the UK R2:

R1 Front cover: http://www.axelmusic.com/resources/cove ... 168010.jpg
Rear cover: http://www.axelmusic.com/resources/cove ... 168010.jpg

I try and keep my eye on Latin American cinema. I've seen about half a dozen films from Mexico and South America, as yet I've not seen a dud.

Spanish language cinema generally is usually very good. I've just ordered "Sex and Lucia" and "Talk to Her".

There used to be a time when Latin American film execs said no one is interested in our films internationally, look how wrong they were.

grim_tales wrote:I have the film in my rental queue BTW

Where did you hear about it Grim?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Mar 2006, 15:36

Speaking of Latin American cinema I also hear "Nine Queens" is very good. Has anyone seen it?

I would've bought it by now but the reasonably priced UK R2 is only DD2.0 (it has a 25 minute making of though) whereas the R1 has the original DD5.1 (but it's bare-bones).

The problem is it's one of those R1 titles that never seems to go under a tenner.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 12 Mar 2006, 15:37

Where did you hear about it Grim?

From me? 8)

I heard about it in Empire. The words "Tarantino" and "latino" usually get my unmentionables excited. From what I gather, not many people have caught this film but the general reaction has been positive.

I liked Amores Perros so here's hoping. Plus someone told me that the whipped cream scene is pure filth. :rr:

Great UK artwork too... the US one is dreadful (i.e. totally sucks).

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 12 Mar 2006, 15:43

A German reviewer says that he found the storyline itself a bit poor which is why they stole from Kurosawa's "Rashomon" showing the story from different persons' view.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Mar 2006, 15:44

The Japanese artwork is the same as the UK artwork.

From one review:

"Any film that introduces the leading lady wearing nothing but strategically placed dollops of whipped cream is going to command the attention of at least half the audience."

BiscLimpkit wrote:I liked Amores Perros so here's hoping.

Amores Perros is outstanding but then so is Y Tu Mama Tambien, Motorcycle Diaries, Bad Education (Spanish) and City of God. But then Gael García Bernal is a fantastic actor (not that he's in City of God).

p.s - Bisc could you post what you think when you've seen it.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 12 Mar 2006, 16:58

bradavon wrote: Amores Perros is outstanding but then so is Y Tu Mama Tambien, Motorcycle Diaries, Bad Education (Spanish) and City of God. But then Gael García Bernal is a fantastic actor (not that he's in City of God).

I've enjoyed every title mentioned there (apart from Bad Education, which I've not seen). Looks like a new venture into Spanish/South American cinema from me then. 8)

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 12 Mar 2006, 19:04

My mate recently saw Talk to Her, he says it's tops.

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 12 Mar 2006, 19:35

All of Spanish director Pedo Almodovar's work is fantastic. My personal favorite is Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. All About My Mother is probably one of the best, artistically, and in terms of acting, as is Live Flesh. I wasn't quite as impressed with Bad Education, but it was still good, as was Talk to Her. I prefer Almodovar's earlier works, from back when Antonio Banderas was playing supporting parts in his films.

I really haven't seen any Latin American or South American films to be able to comment. My viewing experience of recent films is limited to City of God and a few others. And as for "old classics," I think Black Orpheus may be the only one I've seen.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Mar 2006, 22:09

I find Spanish (and French) language cinema to be so fresh. They're not afraid to show sexuality in a real and exciting way. Most American and Canadian film-makers only seem capable of dealing with sex in a really childish manner, we're no better in the UK.

I've only seen Bad Education of Almodovar's work and I thought it was excellent. I hear it's not even his strongest.

I have All About My Mother and Live Flesh on DVD but haven't seen them yet. I have Talk to Her coming from some dude in the States (via eBay) and can't wait to see that first.

I would've bought it 2 years ago when it won all those awards but it was expensive then new and still is

. I finally decided to risk a second hand copy from eBay. I want the R1 as it has an Almodovar commentary (like Bad Education) and removable subs.

I WILL learn Spanish one day so that's important. Both the UK R2's of these have annoying burnt in subs.

BiscLimpkit wrote:Looks like a new venture into Spanish/South American cinema from me then. 8)

Don't forget Mexico, one of the strongest contenders. That's in North America (confusingly) as I'm sure you know

. Latin America I believe encompasses Mexico down.

p.s - Actually I lie I have seen one average Latin American film: El Mariachi

I'll forgive Rodriguez as it was his first film but in honesty it was pretty dull. Still enjoyable to watch to see how a director started out.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 12 Mar 2006, 23:10

Dude I loved El Mariachi! After I watched it, I wanted to walk around with a guitar case, whilst singing sweet melodies to beautiful women. 8)

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 13 Mar 2006, 03:33

Venezuelan film Secuestro Express (2005) is supposed to be very good. It concerns the kidnappings which are regular occurences in Latin American countries. It's shot on DV. Produced by Walter Salles (Motorcycle Diaries, yank remake of Dark Water).

Then there's Maria Full of Grace (2004), which concerns a girl who chooses to be drug mule. The lead actress was nominated for an Oscar.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 13 Mar 2006, 08:32

Bisc, I added the film to my queue when I was just browsing around on CD-WOW's rental site.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Mar 2006, 12:14

EvaUnit02 wrote:Then there's Maria Full of Grace (2004), which concerns a girl who chooses to be drug mule. The lead actress was nominated for an Oscar.

Which is from the USA but a White boy of all things. I hear it's very good and have the DVD.

BiscLimpkit wrote:I wanted to walk around with a guitar case, whilst singing sweet melodies to beautiful women. 8)

I hear you and feel your pain

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 13 Mar 2006, 13:03

bradavon wrote:I hear it's very good and have the DVD.

Why do you have so many unwatched DVDs, Brad?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Mar 2006, 13:09

More money than time I guess

Probably about a quarter of my DVDs I've never watched with about a fifth I've never seen. I get around to watching them all eventually.

Some I've had for years and have only sampled. In some ways I should stop buying them but where's the fun in that? When I'm as bad as Romero I'll start to worry, who buys 20-30 a month but watches much more than me.

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 13 Mar 2006, 22:06

EvaUnit02 wrote:Maria Full of Grace (2004), which concerns a girl who chooses to be drug mule. The lead actress was nominated for an Oscar.

Oh, yeah! I did watch that last year and liked it so much I bought it for a friend! Yes, the lead actress was excellent. Definitely a keeper and highly recommended, especially for fans of Traffic, as it deals with some similar subjects.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 16 Mar 2006, 20:41

DVD's arrived wooo!

Now I need to wait until my folks are out, so that I can watch this.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 16 Mar 2006, 21:36

Anyway, ordered the R1 of Carandiru (2003), a "based on true events" Brazilian prison drama that was over-shadowed by City of God internationally. Supposed to be very good.

I vote that this thread be retitled "The South American film thread" or something like that.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Mar 2006, 21:47

Nope it looks decent enough.

Nice boobs

on that second capture, oh wait he's a she

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 18 Mar 2006, 18:34

Los Debutantes 4.5/5

I don't think I'm ever going to look at whipped cream the same way again.

It's quite a seductive yet gritty love story between a girl and two brothers. The situation is made more complex when they discover that she is a mob leader's girlfriend. The chronological order is handled quite nicely; characters who may appear like decent people initially show an uglier side later on.

Aye if you liked Amores Perros, then you'll probably enjoy Los Debutantes.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 18 Mar 2006, 18:49

Oh btw, the English subs are forced (which isn't a problem tbh).

But there are one or two minor spelling/gramatical errors. Nothing major.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Mar 2006, 13:01

BiscLimpkit wrote:Aye if you liked Amores Perros, then you'll probably enjoy Los Debutantes.

Nice. Cheers btw.

BiscLimpkit wrote:Oh btw, the English subs are forced (which isn't a problem tbh).

Bummer. I WILL learn Spanish one day. Never mind.