Behavior

Going to a film which gets good remarks still happens to be ordinary or cute and boring. I was actually thinking about passing this. Thank God I didn't. Conducta (Behaviour) is a true gem on all accounts, and has been a monster hit in it's native country Cuba.

Aging teacher Carmela has an extra place in her heart for the kids coming from broken families and difficult family relations. 11 year old Chala is a troublemaker, and earn the money to keep his mother running on drugs and alcohol by training special pigeons and dogs for illegal dog fights.He is infatuating with class mate Yeni, which hasn't got the proper right to attend school, because her father is work-less and outside of his county. Carmela gets in trouble by her support for these two pupils, and the young headmaster wants her dismissed. It's also a love story, and a story about a teachers' importance.

This film is simply amazingly well made. Perfect photography, amazing acting in a perfect script. This could simply not be made better in any way! Young Chala is played so amazingly well by Armando Valdez Freire that it's almost unbelievable. The others are equaling the play. Such amazing instruction. So natural, so real, and upright charming.

The film in some way resembles Walter Salles amazing "Central do Brazil" (1998) and also to some extent "Dead Poets Society" (1989), but is even better.

I saw this film with English subtitles on the premiere night at the Films from the South Festival in Oslo in a packed theater giving standing ovations after screening.

Treat yourself to see this. In fact, go head over heels to see it. But remember to bring some napkins to stop the tears. What a gem! What a film!

What to criticize on such a film? Hm... I surrender!!!