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As Bestas
Director: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Writer: Isabel Peña, Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Cast: Marina Foïs, Denis Ménochet, Luis Zahera
Synopsis: A French couple clashes with villagers while operating a farm in the Spanish countryside. Inspired by a true story.
Genre: Psychological drama
Resources: IMDb, Where to stream
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Each week, Drew creates a watchlist with film recommendations provided by you.
Celebrate last week’s winner.
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What it is.
A spoiler-free description of the movie.
A French couple clashes with villagers while operating a farm in the Spanish countryside. Inspired by a true story.
If you like these things, then you’ll like the film.
→ Slow burn, palpable tension. As Bestas is a high watermark, maybe the highest, for building tension in filmmaking.
→ The farmer from the beginning of Inglorious Basterds. Denis Ménochet’s baritone register is comforting because you watched him protect Shosanna from Col. Hans at the start of Inglorious Basterds.
→ Breathtaking countryside. Serving as a backdrop for constantly simmering tension is a visually stunning Spanish countryside.
→ A tale of outsiders. This is a brilliant retelling of an age-old story about clashing ideologies between outsiders.
What I think.
Before we get started, a quick note: Drew curates our film schedule using a variety of sources. We're proud to say that this one was suggested by Gordon C., a monthly TNMN supporter. Thanks Gordon!
I’m not sure I blinked a single time while watching Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s As Bestas. It was that tense and gripping and the thread never stops unraveling.
There’s not a film in the past decade that’s more effectively played with escalating and deescalating tension as a narrative device. The fact is, what you’ll probably hear most if you read about this film is its masterful use of tension — and its well-earned recognition. Though, beyond tension, what I found most compelling were the layers and layers of philosophical inquiries, each lurking just beneath the surface of the story, asking morally confounding question after morally confounding question about male intimidation, the rights of natives versus those of expatriates, and the personal sacrifices we make for our most intimate relationships.
The cast is helmed by Marina Foïs, Denis Ménochet, and Luis Zahera. Every performance is brilliantly realized. Though, particularly noteworthy is Luis Zahera’s posturing performance as the primary antagonist in the story. I submit this is one of the most menacing performances of the last decade. This is both made possible by beautifully penned dialogue and wildly patient readings from Zahera himself.
I knew we were watching something marvelous when Drew announced, at the end of the film, that he was ‘locked in the whole time.’ Which, yes, is normally what professional athletes say when they are hyper-focused on achieving greatness or becoming world champions of something or other. Well done, Drew. You did it.
A fact or two about the production that makes you say “oh, neat.”
→ The Dutchman of Petín, a true story. The film is based on the harrowing true story of Martin Verfondern and Margo Pool. In 1997, the Dutch couple moved to the tiny Galician village of Santoalla to start an organic farm. For a decade, they lived in a "rural nightmare" involving a feud with their only neighbors over timber and grazing rights. Verfondern actually documented the harassment on a personal camera, just like in the film.
See you next week!
Blake and Drew
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