El Violin [2005] [DVD]

Don Plutarco Hidalgo is an aging and illiterate peasant farmer, but he still plays the violin with his one good hand. His son plays the guitar and his grandson collects the spare change as they play in restaurants and bars, then sleep on the streets at night. But their real passion is the guerilla movement of other peasants who are resisting the oppressive government. When the army raids, loots and torches their little village, the guerilla movement is stranded in the dense mountain jungles without their cache of weapons. Plutarco borrows a mule and returns to their village, telling the occupying soldiers that he wants to check his crops. At his age, he's able to convince the soldiers, and the commander takes a shine to Plutarco's violin playing. I won't spoil just where that violin takes this powerful film about oppression and liberation, only to say that as the film itself demonstrates, it's the stuff of multi-generational songs sung at peasant campfires. Filmed in black and white, in Spanish with English sub-titles.

The story is about an old grandfather, Plutarco, his son Genaro, and the grandson Lucio who smuggle weapons to rebels, an soon get caught up in a suspenseful battle for their lives, their dignity, protecting their land, their home. The opening scene depicts brutality, torture, rape and that is enough to set the tone of the movie. You don't see what is happening, you can only imagine. The scene during the first several minutes is the limit of that violence and cruelity for the entire movie.

Plutarco, an aging musician plays the violin with one hand and with his violin, he becomes entangled with the army while the rebels plot to overtake and protect their homes. Meanwhile, Plutarco makes an attempt to recover ammunition he has hidden from the army and give to the rebels. While suspicious of his violin, the army leader is interested in the playing of the violin.

Director, writer and producer of the film, Francisco Vargas has not defined a time or a place that the action takes place. In my opinion, it is anytime, and any Latin American country, or the world for that matter.

For increased intensity, it is shot in black and white and it adds to the cold impersonal mood and stark existence. Color would add warmth and the film is not about that. There are beautiful scenes in black and white; especially where the octogenarian Plutarco tells his grandson the story of how "it" all starts. During this short storytelling, the focus is on the fire smoldering or the dancing flames.

In addition to the remarkable story, the great directing, memorable scenes, comes the protagonist, Don Plutarco, a non-actor with amazing ability to carry out this important film. It is said outside the film that he did have a hand missing since childhood and he is a musician. The film garnered ant a huge number of awards. Great acting, great story, great movie. .....Rizzo

Extremely compelling film about an old farmer, Plutarco, and his violin. Joined by his son and grandson, Plutarco travels the countryside playing his music to earn money. When the military takes over the village and prevents Plutarco from returning home, Plutarco strikes up a friendship with the army commander, hoping to charm his way back into the village. Plutarco must return to the village because of a secret he has hidden there.

"The Violin" has become the most awarded Mexican film in history. A must see!