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Product Description
The Pope's impending visit to a small Uruguayan town stimulates a flurry of activity among the poorest residents, who hope to strike it rich by catering to the needs of the 50,000 expected pilgrims. Convinced that his idea is the best, one man uses up his family's savings to build a paying toilet... Winner Horizons Award San Sebastian 2007; Winner Jury Award Sao Paulo 2007; Official Selection Un Certain Regard Cannes 2007; Official Selection London 2007.
Review
A heartbreaking film, beautifully played with heart and head in massive abundance --Time Out
Touching, humorous and poignant. --Little White Lies
Film of the Month --Sight & Sound
Touching, humorous and poignant. --Little White Lies
Film of the Month --Sight & Sound
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Surrounded by a magical Uruguayan countryside, the citizens of Melo prepare for a miraculous chance to lift their heads above grinding poverty. Their dreams are simple: to pay for a daughter's technical training, buy the father a second-hand motorcycle, and for the wife, not starch for her work, but something just to enjoy. The purveyor of this miracle is Pope John Paul II, who will visit the town and speak to the faithful, many of whom are expected to arrive from neighbouring Brazil. To achieve their objective these hard-working men and woman must contend with corrupt customs agents, greedy merchants, and their own weaknesses and naive dreams. Their strengths are dignity, true friends, family and ambition. When reminded that there has never been a rich black man in Melo, a toothless black smuggler confidently retorts, "Yo voy a ser pobre, pero con plata" (roughly translated, "I will always be poor, but I intend to be comfortably poor"). The actors are charming, the photography is stunning and the film's story and mood are authentic. A joyous and optimistic film.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Geoff Parkes
Format:DVD
The inspiration for this film was a real visit made by Pope John Paul II on 8 May 1988 to the small Uruguayan town of Melo, 60 km from the Brazilian border. The film spotlights, with liberal doses of humour, how difficult life is for the impoverished community. Of particular significance is the fact that some men cycle the 120-km round-trip to the nearest Brazilian town, stocking up on goods which are partly for their own use but mainly for resale to their local shops. On cycling home, they try desperately to avoid the attentions of the corrupt, brutish customs officers by using field tracks to bypass the main border crossing.
News of the Pope's impending visit encourages the townsfolk to devise ways of making a quick buck on the day of the visit. As the day draws near, estimates of the numbers of visitors escalate. Whilst most people decide to prepare food for the anticipated hordes, the central character, Beto, hits upon the idea of constructing a quality toilet, for which he will charge entry...
This film is a big tension-builder: for about 80% of the time we're wondering exactly what will happen on 8 May (and of course I'm not going to tell you!). Though you'd have to say it's a bitter-sweet film, you'll spend plenty of the 90 minutes laughing - there's a strong feelgood factor. The film uses a mixture of known and unknown actors. It is totally engaging, with no boring moments at all: thoroughly good entertainment and warmly recommended.
Footnote: the film is in Spanish with English subtitles. Don't expect to understand too much of the Spanish unless you're a native speaker.
News of the Pope's impending visit encourages the townsfolk to devise ways of making a quick buck on the day of the visit. As the day draws near, estimates of the numbers of visitors escalate. Whilst most people decide to prepare food for the anticipated hordes, the central character, Beto, hits upon the idea of constructing a quality toilet, for which he will charge entry...
This film is a big tension-builder: for about 80% of the time we're wondering exactly what will happen on 8 May (and of course I'm not going to tell you!). Though you'd have to say it's a bitter-sweet film, you'll spend plenty of the 90 minutes laughing - there's a strong feelgood factor. The film uses a mixture of known and unknown actors. It is totally engaging, with no boring moments at all: thoroughly good entertainment and warmly recommended.
Footnote: the film is in Spanish with English subtitles. Don't expect to understand too much of the Spanish unless you're a native speaker.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
El baño del Papa (César Charlone and Enrique Fernández, 2007) is a mixed delight. The cover of the dvd showing the protagonist's arms aloft suggests that you have a feel-good movie in store. So too do the cover reviews. However, this is not so. It tells the story of an impoverished village on the border town of Melo in Urugauy whose inhabitants hope to profit from the Pope's visit. Focusing on the story of one entrepreneurial character, Beto, and his family the film traces their hopes for the pontiff's visit and the money that they hope will come from the pilgrims that should accompany him. The acting is exemplary. It is a bittersweet tale of struggle against adversity. Oftentimes the music tries to create a more upbeat mood than the visual's suggest, which can be confusing, at best. This is not a happy tale, but a well told one for the most part.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Salty sweet film
The right - understated - feel to this film straight from the off.
Smuggling contraband across the border from Brazil back into Uruguay on a pushbike. Read more
Smuggling contraband across the border from Brazil back into Uruguay on a pushbike. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Jan Mecir
5.0 out of 5 stars
world cinema at its best
A rich, beautiful film with an unusual storyline, intelligently handled. At times it is quietly humorous whilst being infused with poignant, painful moments as it depicts life in a... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Film
This is a great film and has many humorous and tragic moments. Just the film to watch when the Pope comes to the UK and you need the toilet!
Terrific acting and superb humour.
Terrific acting and superb humour.
Published on 6 Sep 2010 by William Paton
4.0 out of 5 stars
When can I go to Uruguay?
Lovely film - not as good as Bombon el Pero, but in the same vein. Struggling family, pope due to visit becomes an opportunity to make desperately needed money. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2009 by C. Clark
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