Park through (2008)

Directed by: Enrique Rivero | 86 minutes | drama | Actors: Nolberto Coria, Nancy Orozco, Tesalia Huerta, Celina Altamirano, Oscar Daniel Cabrera, Ericka Castillo, José Luis Córdova, Liliana Judith Cortés, Gerardo Cuevas, Eduardo de la Vega, Susana Del Leon, Federico Flores, Guillermina Velasco, Lorena Vieyra

The outside world, how dangerous is it really? Judging by the hysterical stories in the media, life outside the front door is hell on earth. Children murdered, the elderly raped, animals bludgeoned to death. Fortunately, the dull everyday reality offers sufficient counterweight to the fear mongering of the media. But what about someone who barely gets out and feeds day after day on the horror stories of the news and newspapers? Someone like the faithful handyman Beto, who for years hides from the world in his lady’s empty villa?

We get an answer to that question in ‘Parque via’, the debut of Mexican Enrique Rivero. We follow Beto, who whistling does the daily chores, watches the misery of the television in the evening and calls in the prostitute Lupe once a week.

To be able to go along with this hermit’s experience, we see nothing but a lonely man who washes and irons and polishes for the first ten minutes of the film. Through the slow, quiet and dark opening minutes, we understand Beto’s later fear of the speed, light and noise of the big city.

Because the film has hardly any dialogue, the images tell the story. Beto’s clenched fist, a hug from the female broker, the arrested Lupe in a private cell. Only after a while do these images acquire a meaning in the story. And if nothing of significance happens, there are still the beautiful compositions of the villa and interior.

With those tight visuals, the extremely slow tempo and the lack of dialogue, the arthouse lover knows in which direction to look. ‘Parque via’ is a bit like ‘Batalla en el cielo’ (Reygadas) and a lot like ‘Sangre’ (Escalante). It is no coincidence that producer Paola Herrera was involved in all those films.

Unfortunately, the influence of Reygadas and Escalante also applies to the choice of amateur actors. The old Nolberto Coria tries too hard as Beto: you always see him acting consciously. He does not get out of bed sleepily but pretends to get out of bed sleepily. And that is quite a difference.

It’s the only downside to a great debut. ‘Parque via’ incorporates fascinating themes into an equally captivating story. It’s not for nothing that this film has already won a lot of awards.