LOBO FEROZ/ FEROCIOUS WOLF

Spain, 2023, 104 minutes, Colour.

Adriana Ugarte, Javier Gutierrez, Ruben Ochandiano, Juana Acosta, Manual Vega.

Directed by Gustavo Hernandez.

As suggested by the title, this is a very grim film. It focuses on paedophile behaviour, the role of the law and the behaviour of vigilante avengers. It is based on an Israeli film of 2013, Big Bad Wolf, and this version is, at times, very difficult to watch.

It opens, in black and white, with a past episode of young girls being pursued by a giant man who says he is the big bad Wolf – and the indication that he will molest them.

Then, in colour, in the present, a tough police officer is interrogating a suspect, brutally, leading to his suspension and the release of the suspect. While there is a police investigation, led by a woman officer who has been taunted by her fellow male officers, the suspended man continues his pursuit, stalking the accused who is a teacher at school, seen playing the piano for the school choir rehearsal but the students passing around a note accusing him.

We are introduced to a fierce young woman, Matilde, who was one of the girls menaced in the opening sequence, has later shot an assailant, her father going to prison to save her, but her later going to prison for robbery. Her birth daughter, later adopted. Vengeful, she abducts the accused and torments him, parallel to the way that her daughter was tortured, broken fingers, toenails drawn…

But, she also overcomes the suspended police officer, imprisoning him, his collaborating with her though tied up. The accused, however, denies everything, refuses any information.

The drama moves between the basement where the interrogation/torture is going on and the police investigation. Matilde’s father also becomes involved there are complications when the suspended policeman is able to escape and ask for help. Meantime, the police investigation narrows down the search for a final confrontation.

With attention, the audience is not always sure whether the accused has actually committed the crimes or not. And, there is more sympathy for the suspended policeman as the drama moves on. And, then, his daughter is abducted and disappears.

The film certainly demands audience attention but, as said, is often difficult to watch, especially the torture sequences.

1. The title, the symbolism of wolves and prey, the prologue, black-and-white, the children playing, little girls, the big man, pretending to be the wolf and frightening them, the menace, the shadow, unbuttoning his shirt…? Setting the tone?
2. The Spanish setting, the town, homes, basements, police precincts, atmosphere? The surrounding countryside, atmosphere? The musical score?
3. Moving to the present, Alonso and his role as police, with Elias, the interrogation, vicious, torture? The response of the police chief? Having to let Elias go? Suspending Alonzo? Allowing him to investigate further? Alonso and his relationship with his wife, the phone calls, love for his daughter, at her dance class, her disappearance and its effect on him?
4. Elias, at school, the piano, the note, the accusations? The situation with the death of the little girls, torture, the finding of the boat, the girl without a head? Audience response to Elias, believing him guilty or not? Alonso stalking him, in the street, the car almost crashing, Elias helping the old lady across the street? The continued confrontations?
5. The scene of the mob, the betting, the fistfights, Matilde and her intervention, her strength, relationship with her father? The later explanations, her being molested as a girl, the opening sequence, the effect on her, her behaviour, killing her assailant, her father going to prison for her, her later career, in prison for robbery, out, the daughter adopted, her wanting vengeance, the stash of money, relationship with a lawyer, sexual, the drugs, grinding them, the making of the cake? The abduction of Elias?
6. The visuals of the abduction, the investigation by Alonzo, her subduing him? Inviting him to collaborate, his theory of a psychopath confronting a psychopath? Audience hearing the details of the torture of little girls? Elias and his stoic refusal to admit anything?, The implements, fingers, nails, hanging him? His refusal to answer? Alonso persuading him to give information, the location for the girl’s head, Matilde and her driving, digging, the lie?
7. Alonzo, audience sympathy or not, abducted, imprisoned, collaborating, urging Elias to tell the truth? His getting free, going to get help, the news about his daughter’s abduction?
8. Matilde and her father, his suspicions, going with her, wanting to torture Elias, the incident with the cake, his collapse, the fire?
9. The police, Vidal, the men at the station mocking her, her being commissioned to investigate, her relationship with Alex, treating him as an office, his contributions, getting information, the search of the house, getting reinforcements, going to the basement, the confrontation, shootings, Alex shot, Matilde wounded, escaping, the confrontation with Vidal and the story of her dead son, Matilde wanting his name?
10. The symbolism of the wharf, the encounters with Matilde, in the countryside getting her money, on the road coming back after the search, the final confrontation? The behaviour of the wall?
11. Alonzo, his daughter’s abduction, the audience seeing her banging on the wall, not heard? And the Vidal’s return…?