"Snow White" by Pablo Berger

“Welcome to your new home, baby.”

Some streets in Seville. Some people walking. A poster announcing a bullfight, led by Antonio Villalta. A bullring called “The Colossal”. A bullfighter is being dressed up. He prays and kisses a picture of a young woman before entering the ring. He appears and starts bullfighting. Carmen, his wife, is sit pregnant in the stands. She is suffering for her husband. He is suddenly attacked by the bull, so he is carried to the hospital. At the same time, Carmen de Triana gives birth to her daughter, but some complications appear during the childbirth and the mother dies.

So begins the movie “Snow White”, originally titled “Blancanieves”. “Snow White” is a Franco-Spanish film written and directed by Pablo Berger. This Spanish director had just made one feature movie before this one, “Toremolinos 73” which has nothing to do with “Snow White”.

“Blancanieves” tells the story of Carmen (Snow White), the daughter of Carmen de Triana and the bullfighter Antonio Villalta. After the death of her mother, she is adopted by the stepmother Encarna, who makes her life uneasy. It is inspired by a homonym tale of the Grimm Brothers.

There is a curiosity in the story, and that is precisely that the plot of “Snow White” is mixed with the story of “Cinderella” at the end, when the main character falls asleep and a title says “Will Snow White wake up from the eternal dream?”

“Snow White” is black and white, and it is supposed to be a silent movie. However it is not completely silent because there are certain scenes where a diegetic object makes noise and also because there are some songs with lyrics, the same as happened with “The Artist” by Michel Hazanavicius.

In general terms, this movie shows the Spain of the 1920s including all the traditions and clichés.

It is visible that the cinematography conducted by Pablo Berger is outstanding, as well as the direction of photography.

Regarding the music by Alfonso de Villalonga, which is almost constant and substitutes in some part to the dialogues of a regular movie, it is very expressive and it has some reminiscences of the former times.  Its soundtrack is composed of eight songs. According to the director’s words, “music must help us un this time travel.”

The costume design is also significant. This work was led by the Spanish Paco Delgado, who was also nominated to the Oscars for his work at “Les Mis”.

Concerning the cast, some actors that should be especially mentioned are Maribel Verdú, that plays the role of the step-mother; Inma Cuesta as Carmencita’s mother; Macarena García as the older Snow White and last but not least Sofía Oria as the young Snow White. The last one is remarkable because she had no former experience as an actress before but makes an outstanding work.

“Blancanieves” was nominated at Goya Awards in eighteen categories, and finally received ten of them, including Best Movie. It has also been awarded at San Sebastian Film Festival with two prizes. Moreover, it got three prizes at the New York ACE Awards, including Best Movie.

To conclude, this movie is especially recommendable because of both its stunning staging and its screenplay, which is totally different to the original one.

“Never stop staring at the bull.” Snow White

Related posts:

27th Goya Awards: http://spictures31.blogspot.com.es/2013/02/27th-goya-awards.html

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