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The House of Water

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Wikipedia article




'The House of Water' is a 1983 Venezuelan drama film of the nation's Golden Age directed by Jacobo Penzo. The film was selected as the Venezuelan entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 57th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Plot



A young man, Cruz Salmern Acosta, from the impoverished village of Manicaure, Araya, rejects the dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gmez. Despite fighting for his ideals, he achieves nothing, returning to Manicaure with few opportunities. He ultimately dies alone of leprosy.

Cast



* Franklin Vrgez as Cruz Elas Salmern Acosta

*Doris Wells as Asuncin Len Costa

*Hilda Vera as Cruz' mother

*Alicia Plaza as Consuelo

*Elba Escobar as Ana Dolores Ramos

Production



The film was scored by Juan Carlos Nez, and includes a cameo by film critic Rodolfo Izaguirre playing a priest. It was one of the first films to receive funding from FONCINE.

Analysis



At the 'Sofa en el cine' film website, the film is said to go against traditional modern (particularly American) movie narratives which typically show that destiny is both achievable and aligns with the desires and ideals of the hero. To defy expectations, the film shows Cruz' failure to achieve what he really wants. 'Sofa en el cine' also suggests that the film frames this to suggest that the individual can be brought down by their environment, that misery of nation creates misery of its people even as they try to escape it.

The name of the film is analyzed by Alexis Correia, examining the symbolism through the film that the idea of a house of water relates to; Correia proposes that first, it refers to being in the womb, then a life of false appearances, and then the house where Cruz dies alone. Correia also suggests that water, as vital to life, is not present in the 'house' of Manicaure, which is experiencing drought.

Response



Alexis Correia looks at the characterization of Cruz, suggesting it is mostly enabled by the dialogue written by Toms Eloy Martnez and actor Franklin Vrgez' "timeless" appearance; in the film, Cruz cares more about ideals than his art or youthfulness, which Correia believes is captured by the actor and multiple memorable lines. Correia also praises the cinematography, some of which he compares to Eisenstein.

See also



* List of submissions to the 57th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film

* List of Venezuelan submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

References




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