"Después de Lucia" is interesting although it's a bit of a show-off from the director who already did the very disturbing "Daniel y Ana". I'm not sure about what his point of view on the story really is, for it is blurred by the abundance of topics : how to survive a loss, how much you are able to accept to suffer so as to find redemption from your guilt, how fast you can get to self-justice, and on top of that, the very modern and recurrent theme of school bullying, central to the film.
Franco's way of filming is so self-consciously reminiscent of Michael Haneke, in this quiet but terrible series of semi-violent events (obviously more psychological than physical), that it is almost annoying at times. The final scene is just a reproduction of Funny Games' final scene... and I'm wondering if, as a spectator, I have to see it just as an homage to Haneke or as sequence of the film in itself. I mean... was it necessary to complete the film, powerful enough and explanatory in itself, that way ? Not sure, even if it brings some sort of balance to the absurdity of the rest.
Anyway Michel Franco is someone to watch, "Después de Lucia" is a very strong piece... but I think it's time he finds his own path, away from his apparently beloved master and model.
Franco's way of filming is so self-consciously reminiscent of Michael Haneke, in this quiet but terrible series of semi-violent events (obviously more psychological than physical), that it is almost annoying at times. The final scene is just a reproduction of Funny Games' final scene... and I'm wondering if, as a spectator, I have to see it just as an homage to Haneke or as sequence of the film in itself. I mean... was it necessary to complete the film, powerful enough and explanatory in itself, that way ? Not sure, even if it brings some sort of balance to the absurdity of the rest.
Anyway Michel Franco is someone to watch, "Después de Lucia" is a very strong piece... but I think it's time he finds his own path, away from his apparently beloved master and model.