Damas y caballeros, we are rarely given the chance to see such a match worthy of our attention, (and gambling!) than what you are about to see Sunday night. No, not an HBO boxing match or even a local bar fight, we are here to witness two titans battle it out. I am speaking of course, of Broken Embraces and The Maid.
In other words, the Golden Globes will have five foreign films to chose from for its best foreign film title and while all of the movies in the list are all wonderful films, we are focusing our attention on the two Latin films on the bill. Pedro Almodovar was already on the list two decades ago for his film, Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown as well as winning twice for his films All About My Mother and Talk To Her in 1999 and 2002. In all, he has been on the list six times! Can he pull off one more victory?
Middle-aged maids and aspiring actresses make for good competition and good viewing. However, instead of concentrating on the films in a conventional manner, we have taken a different direction. Frankly, judging the merits of films is a tough business but we have taken the liberty of pitting them against each other, cage match style. Now, lets get ready to rumble!!!
In one corner, we have Broken Embraces.
Vital stats: Spain, 2009
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Signature Moves: Penelope Cruz, lots of boob shots, old guys who really dig younger women and lots of banging
Wins/Accolades: Lots of film festival awards and recognition as one of the best films of the year. Almodovar has a proven track record of wowing film audiences with his muses and an admirable command of his craft. Long story short, this is the guy the smart money bets.
In the other corner, we have a young upstart, The Maid.
Vital Stats: Chile 2009
Director: Sebastian Silva
Signature Moves: Middle aged maids, comedy, casual nudity, class differences, morose atmosphere and a deeply disguised core of optimism.
Wins/Accolades: Ten film festival awards for best film as well as being listed as one of the best films of the year. This movie may seem like mince meat in the presence of Almodovar, but the film has the muscle to take on the Spaniard’s work. While Sebastian Silva doesn’t have as much experience as Almodovar, he has proven himself as a rising star with several short and independent films. Even the song featured in his film (“Ay Ay Ay”) is a hit, so much that it may be likely that the song will be nominated for Best Original Song catagory for the (wait for it!) Oscars. While Almodovar is a likely winner, we can’t help but root for the underdog.
Let us know your picks for the Golden Globes!