| Our Exclusive Raindance Reviews, Part 1 |
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| Written by Sam Kerbey | |
| Thursday, 09 October 2008 | |
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Throughout the day, we have kept you up-to-date on all the reviews we could find coming out of Raindance from your fellow aficionados. Believe it or not, but more reviews are coming! We begin our set of exclusive reviews with one from Sam, one of our correspondents and staff members who was beyond fortunate to see Little Ashes, not once...but twice! Be sure to check back later for the next segment of our exclusive reviews!
- - -  [From left: Matthew McNulty, Philippa Goslett, Marina Gattel, and Paul Morrison. Photo by: Andreas Tovan] - - - Ok, wow I don’t know where to start. It was a two hour train journey down to London and I thought I’d kill the time by reading ‘Sebastian’s Arrows: Letters and Mementos of Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca’. I was marking sections that to me spoke of their feelings - and the relationship I was desperately hoping the film would show. One quote I highlighted was from a letter Federico wrote Salvador: Remember me when you are at the beach and above all when you paint crackling things and my Little Ashes. Oh my Little Ashes! Paint my name into the picture so that my name will mean something in the world
In the darkened theatre these beautiful heartfelt lines appeared on screen, and the film had begun. From this we cut to an 18 year old Dali getting ready to move to Madrid, with his funny hair and his clothes from another time, it is obvious from the start that he does not fit in – yet he desperately wants to not only be accepted but to achieve greatness.
We are introduced to the social elite of the Resi – the newly published Lorca and the loud, flamboyant and variable Bunuel (actually it’s Luis this term). The charisma of this group is clear from the beginning and the talents of the cast are obvious.
The film takes us through the meeting of Dali and Lorca (hilarious moment when Lorca catches Dali watching him from a window and he pretends he’s sleeping) and Dali’s acceptance into the group. The main focus of the film though, is Lorca, it is his story and it is told beautifully by Javier.
The scenes we’ve heard about lived up to my expectations. The water scene was stunning. It’s set at night and the water is phosphorescent because of the bio-luminescence of miro-organisms (sorry scientist in me, but trust me it was beautiful). What this means on film is as Salvador and Federico swam around each other, as they moved closer, they were followed by a blue trail. It was magical and spectacular.
The sex scene between Lorca and Magdalena while Dali watches is also amazingly well acted by all. The meeting means very different things to those involved and the emotions that play out on their faces is incredible, no words are needed to convey what they are feeling.
The acting generally was outstanding. Yes Robert’s accent slipped in places (though I’ve now seen it twice and this was much less noticeable the second time round) but the emotions he portrayed were incredible. ‘A whirlwind’ is very cliché but going from: the awkward young Dali; to trying to understand how he feels about Federico; to finally becoming ‘Avida Dollars’, it really was. The last scene of the film deserves special mention, he was incredible and both times almost had me welling up (I do not cry at films! It’s sort of a rule).
Matthew was sensational, I had been chatting to him off and on for an hour just before I went into the screening and I did not recognise him. I’m not exaggerating here, I stared at the screen, every scene he was in searching for some part of him that I recognised and I couldn’t find it. It was a total transformation and I can’t give him higher praise than that. He is, by the way, a lovely bloke and I will be purchasing everything he has ever been in, in the very near future.
The star of the film though (and deservedly so) was Javier Beltran. He is phenomenal and really makes you feel: the exhilaration of getting to know Dali; the pain of trying to stay away from him; the delirious joy of finally being accepted and then the heartbreak as Salvador pulls away.
I’ll admit I was nervous going to see this film. We’ve put so much time and effort into its promotion and we were really just going on faith that it would be worth it. I now have no reservations in shouting about Little Ashes for all to hear, it’s the most moving film I have seen in a long time and I can’t wait to see it again – twice was not enough!
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Hits: 1171 Comments (11)
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written by Alison, October 08, 2008
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am very anxious to see this film and the reviews I have read within the past two days have made me so excited. The cast seems to have been well choosen, which I had no doubt about. Everything about it screams magic and I cannot wait to see it first hand. Once again, thank you!
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written by Marsha, October 08, 2008
"Nah nah nah...Hey Jude."
Yes, it's a Beatles song about John Lennon's son, but whenever I here this song, I think of this story. Call me crazy. lol Amazing reviews! Cannot wait to see this film! So lLet it out, and lt in..." Ah! Can't wait to see the emotional aspects of this film. Sounds amazing.
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written by Marsha, October 08, 2008
Man...I messed that post up bigtime. lol Sorry!
You get my drift.
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written by Thalia, October 08, 2008
This is the best review I've read yet, out of many good reviews. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
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written by patti, October 08, 2008
Absolutely wonderful review Sam!
I'm so glad that you had a great time and enjoyed the film.
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written by Elaine, October 08, 2008
Sam, you mean you came back for the second screening? I knew I should have just missed my train and stayed in London lol!!
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written by Michelle, October 09, 2008
Fantastic review Sam. I enjoyed reading it so much.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the film & were able to go to the second screening also. How wonderful  Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this wonderful film with us. I cannot wait to see it.
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written by Elaine, October 09, 2008
She knows I cried like a baby! I forgot to mention that. Maybe that's a thing that happens as you get older!
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written by Sam Kerbey, October 09, 2008
Yea I went back the next day! It was pretty busy then aswell. I'm still buzzing, it was just so incredible
... written by Shannon, October 09, 2008 "She knows I cried like a baby! I forgot to mention that. Maybe that's a thing that happens as you get older!"nElaine, I expect to cry a great deal. I sometime 'tear up' during films, and less commonly I also will cry a good bit as well...however, when I first heard, some time ago, about the end of the film...and Dali's reaction to the news of what's happened...well, I knew without a doubt, my heart would be wrenching and I too will cry like a baby. Just a prediction.nnI wouldn't blame it on getting older, I honestly think, and I'd say it's confirmed with all these wonderful reviews, I honestly think that it's the acting and direction that went into the film. It's just that good! I cannot wait to see it, enjoy it, and cry along with all who have seen it! Write comment
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