Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

July 2 - 10, 2010

La libertad
( La libertad )

Colour, 35mm
Argentina, 2001, 73 min
Section: Forum of Independents

Director: Lisandro Alonso
Screenplay: Lisandro Alonso
Dir. of Photography: Cobi Migliora
Music: Juan Montecchia
Designer: Lisandro Alonso
Editor: Lisandro Alonso, Martin Mainoli
Producer: Hugo Alberto Alonso
Production: R/M Films
Sales: Tvor
Contact: Tvor

Cast

Misael Saavedra, Humberto Estrada, Rafael Estrada, Omar Didino, Javier Didino

Synopsis

This very strange film, which provokes controversy wherever it is screened, describes a day in the life of the young Argentine woodcutter Misael. Misael lives alone in the middle of nowhere, in a tent in the pampas. We follow him minute by minute as if watching a documentary, as he chops down a tree, cuts the wood, drives to a buyer, telephones home, catches a wild animal and prepares his dinner. Nothing else really happens. “Misael is not a professional actor, he doesn’t know what an actor is and has never been to the movies. I chose not to show the extraordinary or spectacular things that happen every two, three or five years in one’s life, such as having a child, a serious accident or having something unexpected happen. One lives half one’s life in a routine manner which no one notices. I wanted to record those minimalistic moments so that, upon seeing them, you start to rethink what you’re doing with your life.” Lisandro Alonso.

About the director

Lisandro Alonso (1975, Buenos Aires) studied at the Universidad del Ciné. In 1995 he co-directed the short film Dos en la vereda with Catriel Vildosola. Then he worked as an assistant director on features. La libertad is his first feature.