Last weekend marked the 38th Goya Awards in Spain, an event that not only celebrated cinematic achievements but also ignited a fervent discussion on social media. The spotlight fell on renowned director Pedro Almodóvar, whose impassioned response to recent criticism from Juan García-Gallardo, Vice President of Spain's Castilla y León and a member of the far-right Vox party, captured widespread attention. García-Gallardo had disparaged Spanish filmmakers as 'señoritos,' dismissing their films as expensive endeavours with little public appeal. In a resounding rebuttal, Almodóvar asserted the invaluable contributions of filmmakers to society, emphasizing their role in generating revenue, employment, and cultural discourse: 'We return what we receive and much more by paying taxes and social security and also create thousands of jobs.' This exchange underscores the profound significance of art as a conduit for communication, entertaining audiences while grappling with issues and emotions. Against this backdrop, the year 2024 marks a significant milestone for Spanish-speaking cinema, notably exemplified by the enduring impact of the Argentinian masterpiece "Relatos Salvajes" (Damián Szifron, 2014).
Szifron’s masterpiece is an anthology film comprised of six short films woven together by a common theme and narrative structure. These tales depict mundane events and feature antiheroic protagonists driven by their primal instincts, offering a unique inversion of anthropomorphism. This storytelling technique serves as the backdrop for incisive commentary on various societal issues, including government and corporate corruption, bureaucratic malfeasance, socio-economic inequality, abuse of power, emotional and physical abuse, class and gender bias, the societal pressure of marriage, macho culture, and elitism.
Let’s take a look on the wild side.
"Pasternak" delves deeply into the theme of vengeance, portraying a narrative that reverses anthropomorphism through its perspective. The protagonist, Pasternak, exhibits primal impulses of dominance and territoriality, engaging in acts of aggression and territorial defences and psychological reversion journey.
"Las Ratas" is another vengeance-driven short film that delves into moral complexity and blurs the lines between justice and vigilantism. The animalistic elements are evident not only in the characters' actions, driven by protective instincts, but also in the symbolism embedded in the title and character roles. The title itself, meaning "rats," carries connotations of betrayal, deception, destruction, contamination, survival, and the darker aspects of human nature often associated with these creatures. Additionally, the presence of a loan shark character further reinforces themes of power and control.
"El Más Fuerte" delves once again into themes of vengeance, imbued with layers of aggression. The depiction of the wild side extends beyond the characters themselves and encompasses the narrative style. Symbolism is prevalent in the form of cars, which represent power, control, and status. Diego's relentless attempts to overtake Mario's vehicle symbolize his drive to assert dominance and superiority, while Mario's retaliatory actions reflect his defiance and refusal to be intimidated. The cars serve as vehicles for conflict and aggression, propelling the characters toward their inevitable tragic outcome. Moreover, parallels can be drawn between the characters' actions in the car chase and the behaviour of animals in the African savannah. Much like animals defending their territory from intruders and asserting dominance, the characters in the film engage in predator-prey dynamics driven by instinctual responses. These parallels underscore the primal nature of human behaviour and the fatal consequences that result from unchecked aggression and rivalry.
In "Bombita," the protagonist experiences a transformation driven by primal instincts and a thirst for revenge. His frustrations with bureaucracy and societal norms mirror the agitation seen in animals facing obstacles. As his grievances escalate, Simón's actions become increasingly primal, culminating in the explosive destruction of the towing office. The surname Fischer symbolically reflects his strategy, akin to a fisherman setting a trap for prey. Simón's meticulous planning parallels the patience of a fisherman awaiting the right moment to strike. The name also evokes resilience and adaptability, characteristic of fish navigating their environment. Thus, Simón's journey from victim to vigilante represents an adaptation to his circumstances.
In “La Propuesta,” a hit-and-run accident triggers a chain of events fueled by primal instincts like self-preservation and survival. The teenager's immediate flight from the scene reflects an instinctual response to danger, while his parents' subsequent scheme to scapegoat their groundskeeper, José, highlights their primal urge to safeguard their interests at all costs. As tensions escalate, the characters resort to increasingly desperate measures to evade accountability and consequences.
In “Hasta que La Muerte Nos Separe,” the characters' intense emotional reactions echo the primal instincts and wild impulses observed in the animal kingdom. The depiction of sexuality in the scene carries undertones of dominance and control, reminiscent of animal mating rituals. The physical altercation between Romina and the woman with whom Ariel had sex symbolizes a primal display of dominance and territoriality. Despite the chaos and conflict, the scene concludes with a moment of reconciliation and connection between the couple, symbolizing a ritualistic return to their primal instincts for companionship.
These stories adhere to the early modern philosophy principles of Thomas Hobbes, who famously stated that "man is the wolf of man." The open ending of the last tale suggests the potential recurrence of this anthropomorphism reversal beyond the confines of the screen, hidden internally. Even though, there was an exaggeration with comical and relatability purposes.
Society is often characterized by selfishness, injustice, betrayal, corruption, and materialism. Human nature remains unchanged; their stories continue to resonate over the years and are likely to do so in the future. The undeniable pleasure of losing control, when it fulfils hidden desires. Humans often find themselves prey to the effects of capitalism and societal expectations.
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