NOVIEMBRE MOVIE REVIEWCindy Liza Esporlas | BS Applied Physics

Noviembre is an interesting piece that interprets creative freedom. It was quite a unique piece of work

that exudes a strong sense of non-passive and confrontative message. It followed the documentary

style and the story was told by alternating between the main story line and the interview narration of

the characters years later. The story was situated in Spain and starts with young actor Alfredo arriving

in Madrid for adventure in the late 90s. There, his soon to be wife, Lucia was introduced. Both were

exchanging lines discussing their initial motivation for acting, while Alfred stressed out that he wants to

do that to a large extent out of love for his brother who cannot walk, who sits on a wheelchair, his

brother who was both physically and mentally handicap. Lucia, on the other hand, attributes it to

sibling rivalry purpose. Together with a group of friends who share the same passion for acting, the

two embark on their venture. The unique thing is that in their vision to bring the theatre to the public,

they shun any indoor performance venue which would imply an admission ticket.

The revolutionary ideas of the main characters fit perfectly on the ambiance and feelings that the

people were experiencing. This is a type of movie that transcends even uo to our times. Their brilliant

street performances truncated the time of successive powers that played a large influence in the

theater and stands as a disturbing element in the society. They moved away from the groups of

commercial and money but rather chose to move in proximity with the public to address and shake the

consciences; waking them of the sleepiness on how they are so tied up to the unreal and manipulating

current forms of art. We can see that this movie did not just aim to create a room for reflection but it

also created a distinct perspective that art is for everyone and that it should not be limited within the

four walls of the theatre. It addressed as well the non-passive voice of youth and how they used art as

a powerful tool, just like a gun loaded not to destroy when triggered but brings future when triggered.

In their performances, the actors turned shopping streets into playground for their acts and gave each

one the chance to interact – that’s a nice picture of freedom. They do all their performances outdoors,

right in the streets, and they steadfastly refuse to accept any money for their performances. It pushes

beyond the boundaries especially on the dialectical relationship of art and society.

The end of the movie is very rough and harsh. The story ended tragically when Alfredo was shot in the

head during one of their performances. The ending left the greatest impact in this movie which for me

was not actually a sign of failure despite but it was the very picture of success that wrapped up the

entire film. As powerful as a gunshot, that last part also left the same gunshot effect on the audience. It

was ended that way to provoke and leave the highest sense of disturbing thought process, reflecting

on how we view the world, seeing once again the real picture in our society today.

One of the characters left a powerful statement that says "We wanted to change the world, we failed

miserably. Now I just try to not let the world change me." No wonder this film won the FIPRESCI prize

in the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival. It’s about waking up to the true colors of art and how it

should be dancing in our society. Apart from how the present world perverted its definition and tainted

its very purpose, there are loud voices still crying to bring back the purity of its nature. It is true indeed

that we cannot change this world – if we don’t change ourselves first.