BLACK SNOW/ NIEVE NEGRA
Argentina, 2017, 90 minutes, Colour.
Leonardo Sbaraglia, Laia Costa, Ricardo Darin.
Directed by Martin Hodara.
This is a drama of a harsh Argentinian family, and something of a family feud. It has a strong cast, two middle-aged brothers played by Leonardo Sbaraglia, Ricardo Darin, two of Argentina’s most prominent actors. They are joined by Laia Costa who can well stand her ground with the two brothers.
The film opens with the death of a young boy on a hunting trip. His name is called. A shot rings out. It is only at the end of the film that we discover who shot the boy, not an accident, and the motivation. There are many flashbacks which continue to illuminate each of the characters, the life of the family and its hardships, and the revelation of what actually happened.
In the present, Marcos, Leonardo Sbaraglia, returns from Spain to Argentina with his pregnant wife on the death of his father. The father wants his ashes to be buried near his dead son. There is an offer from a Canadian company to buy the rather large landholding where the old family house for and where the older brother, Salvador, Ricardo Darin, continues to live, alone, hunting.
There are confrontations between the brothers. The wife, strong-minded, tries to intervene. Ultimately, there is a violent confrontation and death. The wife also discovers the truth of what happened those decades ago, very surprising to her, very surprising to the audience – and her ultimate decision for connivance in covering the truth.
1. The title? The mountains, the storms, the snow? And blood on the snow?
2. The Argentinian settings, business offices, the lumber yard, the property, the forests, the old house in the forest, interiors? The musical score?
3. The introduction to the film, the young boy, Juan, his name called, the shot, his death?
4. The structure of the film: the present, Marcos and his wife and pregnancy, back to Argentina from Spain, his father’s death, the urn with the ashes and the burial, the Canadian company wanting to buy the property, the alienation from his brother, Salvador, Salvador’s refusal of the Canadian bid? Sepia and Ramon, the work in the office, the deal and the sale? The insertion of the flashbacks throughout the film, revealing character, situations, the mystery of Juan’s death?
5. Marcos, sympathetic, his care for Laura, on the plane, her sleeping, his reassurance? The hotel? The phone calls, the visit to the firm? The situation with the sale? The alienation from Salvador?
6. Salvador, his age, living alone, hunting, not welcoming Marcos, taciturn, the animals on the hunt, the meals? Unwilling to sell? The hostile memories of his father beating him? Marcos not remembering where Juan was buried? Salvador eventually relenting, driving them to the spot, Marcos digging and inserting the urn, Salvador observing?
7. Salvador taking the couple hunting, Laura willing and eager, Marcos not wanting to take the gun – and the final revelation about his action?
8. The isolation, the memories of her growing up there, the scenes of the father, the young children?
9. Sabrina, in the institution, her mental condition, the visit, Laura discovering her sketches? And the sketches providing an ultimate solution?
10. Laura, the outsider, taking the initiative, discussing the sale, showing up her husband?
11. The decision to leave, Salvador letting them go? The argument, Marcos and his anger, the bad driving, the crash, the snow holding them in, Laura cold, her reaction, returning to the house, Marcos chasing her? The guns? Salvador coming out, shooting, Marcos’s reaction, Laura shooting Salvador?
12. The aftermath, Sepia and Ramon coming, the decision about the death, that it was Marcos who killed Salvador by accident, self defence, Laura allowed out? The lawyer coming, the statement an explanation, Marcos and the declaration?
13. The recreation of Juan’s death, his defiance, Michael shooting him, pretending it was an accident? Sabrina shocked?
14. Laura, accidentally finding the sketchbook, the different sketches, the revelation about the relationship between Sabrina and Marcos, the note about Juan’s seeing them, knowing, telling their father and Salvador?
15. Laura’s decision, tearing off the mention of Salvador, keeping the note, showing it to Marcos, her explanation that it was Salvador having the relationship? That Salvador killed Juan? Marcos and the revelation about his behaviour, his character, Laura saving him – and the final moment of her eye looking to the camera and what it signified?
