Familia Rodante
Review By John Stakes
In an eleventh-hour change to last Sunday’s programme (due to circumstances beyond the club’s control) another large audience was treated to an earlier work of director Pablo Trapero, his 2004 film ‘Familia Rodante’ rather than his latest “ Born and Bred “. It was indeed a ‘treat’, as not only was the film a skilfully crafted and sympathetic depiction of a major event in the life of four generations of one Argentinian family, admission was free !
The ‘event’ was a thousand kilometre drive from the family’s home town to the foothills close to the Brazil border. Eighty four years old greatgrandmother Emilia was to be maid of honour at a cousin’s wedding and decided to take three generations of offspring and their husbands with her bringing the total party to an assorted dozen, all crammed into a twenty years’ old Chrysler camper van complete with DIY extras and a stray dog.
En route cousins became kissers, one son-in-law made an ill-judged play for his sister-in- law, the other blew his own and the van’s head gasket ( which is replaced by adapting a metal flower pot holder ) and the van runs out of petrol. What was so refreshing and honest about the portrayal of this slice of one family’s life was the completely natural playing of the ensemble cast ( led by Amelia who was not a professional actress ) and the fly on the camper wall technique. And, unlike in many ‘road’ movies, there seemed to be a complete absence of contrivance, the unforced comedy springing effortlessly from the differing reactions of the party as they fell victim to quite commonplace events thrown up during what was to them a once in a lifetime journey.
Although this mini pilgrimage exposed weaknesses and tensions within the party and events conspired to frustrate progress there was never any doubt that the trek would be completed and the only question was whether they would arrive in time for the ceremony.
By embracing four generations of one family Pablo Trapero succinctly encapsulated and illuminated ‘la ronde’ of life culminating in Emilia’s decision to stay behind ( for how long ? ) with her sister, having met an old flame at the wedding. This was a warm and affectionate film of universal appeal, and for those new to this director’s work, the decision to screen his ‘Born and Bred’ at a later date will be especially welcome.
