Writer/director Javier Fesser has based his film on the case of Alexia Gonzalez-Barros, a devoutly Catholic Spanish girl whose ‘exemplary’ hospital death in 1985 at the age of 14 has become the focus of a cult of sainthood. Fesser is as transfixed as any true believer by the ‘inspiring’ spectacle of a lively young girl – 11-year-old Camino – going happily to her death. It's her effect on those who surround her, beginning with her pious mother (Carme Elias), that renders him livid. While they urge Camino to give thanks for every new setback sent to test her beatitude, Fesser revels with her in an imaginative world where the school production of Cinderella and the boy playing Prince Charming occupy much more space than God or the Devil. (Source: NZ International Film Festival)
Anyone who caught this at 2009’s New Zealand International Film Festival would have to be made of ice not be moved in some way by this scathing attack on Opus Dei and religious obsession in general.
Knocking the likes of The Exorcism of Emily Rose and The Omen into a cocked hat, writer-director Javier Fesser skillfully mixes the mundane with the magical in a style reminiscent of Pan's Labyrinth or Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures.
As well as bringing to life Camino's feverish thoughts, he also makes great use of the full frame, cross-cutting techniques (which juxtapose a religious ceremony with a children's performance of Cinderella) and Rafael Aranu's soaring and searing score.
In the central role, the wild-eyed, impossibly pretty Nerea Camacho, who won one of the film's six Goya Awards for her performance, is simply superb. Kudos too to Mariano Venancio, for his heartfelt portrayal of Camino's father – a voice of reason amongst the insane self-sacrificing. Compelling, enraging and heartbreaking, Camino will put you through the emotional ringer like few other films this year.
By James Croot, Flicks.co.nz
Of a pious self flagellating Catholic mother who sacrifices her daughter Camino to God so she can become a saint. I will not deny this movie was beautifully made however I found the extremist element of such a fundamentlistic religion that guided all decisions and actions in shameful.
One for the girls. An emotionally charged right/ wrong morality diatribe concerning a young (and oh so cute) girl and the religious sect governing her and her families life.
Brilliant, beautiful, intelligent, heart breaking, daring and relevant. A searing criticism of fanaticism for the love of god. An unforgettable cinematic experience. Take your hanky, it's extremely moving.
I don't care how strong you are, this movie will bring you to tears. Camino is a masterful piece of cinema with a heart wrenching story. Yes Catholics will put it down as it’s hard on their particular views but don’t let that put you off. It tries to show that any fundamentalism is just not only plain silly but also cruel to humanity. This story could be told regarding many extreme belief values. An absolute must see.
I am actually lost for word ... See this film and judge for yourself. But unless your a christian fanatic, I think you'll be touched and moved by it.
Compelling, enraging and heartbreaking, Camino will put you through the emotional ringer like few other films this year.
A daring, compulsively watchable melodrama against religious fundamentalism.
In ruminating about the possibility of an unjust God it is far closer to reverent than sacrilegious. In any case it's an unusual, thought-provoking and handsome film.
The oddly perverse lives that are twisted out of shape by the extremes of Christian belief systems are sometimes the stuff of which saints are made, and young Camino's is such a life.
Cinematic excess is harnessed to savagely entertaining satirical effect in Javier Fesser's dazzling, idiosyncratic "Camino," which manages to mix styles and genres without losing its way.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 20th May 2010.
Release date: May 20th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
