Filmed in luscious black and white against the backdrop of Mexico's peasant revolts of the 1970s, an elderly musician smuggles ammunition to guerrilla fighters armed only with his violin.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2007
The Violin 2006
El Violin
Shooting documentary-style in luscious black and white, Francisco Vargas sets his remarkable first film against the backdrop of Mexico’s peasant revolts of the 1970s and their brutal repression by the military. Elderly musician Don Plutarco (Don Ángel Tavira) becomes involved when the army occupies his village and the precious munitions hidden there become inaccessible. Armed only with his violin Don Plutarco takes it upon himself to win the trust of the occupying commander. In exchange for playing for the troops, the commander allows Don Plutarco to tend his cornfield, while in reality the canny old-timer is slowly smuggling ammunition back to the guerrilla camp in his violin case. What follows is a tense game of cat-and-mouse between the two men that can only end in betrayal.
“Vargas striking and poetic film offers a plaintive cry on behalf of the oppressed… Tavira brings gravitas and humor to the role of an ancient who knows the struggle is eternal.” — Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter