Review: Vengo (2000)

Directed by: Tony Gatlif | 90 minutes | drama, musical | Actors: Antonio Canales, Orestes Villasan Rodriguez, Antonio Perez Dechent, Bobote, Juan Luis Corrientes, Maria Faraco

Caco (Antonio Canales) has lost his daughter for unknown reasons and one of its leaders was killed in the rival Caravaca clan. He is said to have been murdered by Caco’s brother and he fled. Caco is looking after Diego (Orestes Villasan Rodriguez), his brother’s mentally handicapped son, with all his heart. That is, if Caco is not weeping by the grave of his daughter or sleeping off his intoxication completely drunk. To ease his soul pain, Caco wants to party a lot and intensely with his friends and family. He hires bands to play the most beautiful flamenco music and Caco drinks until he drops. His life is no longer worth anything to him.

Meanwhile, the threat from the Caravaca family who seek revenge for the death of their leader grows. Tension rises and fate hangs like a dark cloud over Caco. The film “Vengo” is set in Andalusia, southern Spain. The two rival families are gypsies and flamenco is in their blood. Beautiful music from La Caita, Tomatito and La Paguera de Jerez, among others, that will cut you through your soul if you love the real Spain. It is hard to believe that this is a film set in a country that belongs to the European Union.

You cannot place this film in 2000 in a Western European country. Yet this is the case. This world is also there, also exists and is alive. Lives in full intensity and passion and now, in the south of Spain in Andalusia. In this context, “Vengo” looks like a documentary. Fascinating is the fantastic role of Orestes Villasan Rodriguez, who subtly always manages to put his finger on the sore spot in all his innocence. He knows when it comes to real love and when to leave Caco alone. But the scene in which he talks to his father in the middle of the road, otherwise the cell phone has no signal, is legendary and beautiful. The gypsy world in optima forma, intense and to the extreme. But always passionate and with flamenco.