Norte : The End of History

Time in modern life is often against you, from your waking hour to dying breath. Cinematic time therefore has changed, becoming faster and filled. It is strange how this Philippine film counter poses this trend but it is also a wonderful thing.

This retelling of Dostoyevskys Crime and Punishment isn't all it seems from appearance. Sometimes it astounds you with its awe other times it leaves you wondering quite who would allow a film like this life. The story centres on Fabian a middle class trainee lawyer and a poor couple Eliza and Joaquin. Fate links them to a money lender, who they both go to for loans. The poor couple to pay medical bills and Fabian to pay bar bills.

When Fabian unexpectedly murders the obese female money lender and her daughter, Joaquin is charged with the crime and imprisoned. All three then go through physical and metaphysical change as their lives become enclosed in spaces such as prisons, villages and houses. They also begin to search for redemption under various time frames and situations.

Ok, so does this all add up to a film worth your time?

Well, It captured me both visually and narratively. Its themes of duality are refreshing in modern film. This is the counterpoise of rich / poor, redemption / despair, truth / lies all contemplated before are re examined with some vigour. We have a essay of the frivolity of youth and wealth. We also have the idea of escape but not only material but alao geographically and physically.

Scenes are minimal and simply shot. They feel almost inspired by Bela Tarr or Malick in construction. This makes images which look fresh and flow smoothly, not jarring or stalling the narrative. It is true, though takes are often over long they still captivate and are often mesmerizingly beautiful.

The central acting is solid with the male leads electric. Fabian performance is controlled and animalistic. Joaquin is defeated but his progress is riverting. It is Eliza who for me holds the film together. She creates empathy, sympathy and a state of peace with a gently simple turn. The secondary characters sometimes aren't convincing though, either they are mouthpieces for inflated dialogue or are idiosyncratic.

So watch this film, I know it is over four hours long and yes it is bloated, like the money lender but it needs this. The story grows and needs this space, you wouldn't build a formula 1 car when you needed a pruis.