This film is not about how people need love even if they are old or anything like that. The person who wrote that missed the point of the film completely. It is a portrayal of rural Mexican life from the point of view of an educated, male artist. It is very raw with a lot of death and sexuality. The protagonist (El Hombre) has decided to end his life for unknown reasons. Perhaps he has had enough of this life. The reasons themselves are insignificant really. El Hombre continually tries to defy the cultural norms of this canyon village as men attempt to take an old woman's (Ascen) house. He is an outsider who has his own opinions of how men should act and treat women. But it's really not about feminist issues either. The fact that El Hombre is powerless to change the minds of the male villagers is secondary to the obvious fact that these people do not want to be changed. Ascen serves pulque and tequila to the men while they rest from the task of destroying and relocating the stones of her house. She is completely subservient to the men but never complains. She wants to go along with them when they leave. El Hombre is no better. Even though the viewer might see him as a somewhat noble character he is one and the same as the rest of the males. He realizes this himself (this is my interpretation) as he is having sex with Ascen. While trying to seem compassionate for the old woman, he is still sleeping in her barn, eating her food and eventually fornicating with her. He eventually is left alone; realizing that he has not (and never will) experienced or understood all there is in this world. The final scene is a tragic one consisting of all of the men who tore the house down, including Ascen, lying dead from a train collision. Arvo Part's amazing composition from Tabula Rasa plays over the scene, which is a very circular and overlapping piece. In my opinion this demonstrates the theme that nothing really matters-we all live and die and feel. We try to establish rules and beliefs of what's right in life but no one is ever really sure. Nature is central to this film and I believe director Reygada has done a remarkable job in simplifying while simultaneously confusing this aimless life we lead.
Review of Japan
