OVEJA NEGRA (BLACK SHEEP)

Mexico, 2009, 85 minutes, Colour.
Christian Vasquez, Rodrigo Corea, Ximena Romo, Mercado Luis Ivan Irana.
Directed by Humberto Hinojosa Ozcariz.

Black Sheep is a Mexican melodrama set near the American- Mexican border. It is partly comic but generally serious – a look at rivalry between two young men, one an orphan taken in by the richest man in the district, the other his spoilt son. They have been rivals since childhood – especially concerning the young girl of the village, Maria. However, the orphan is made to do hard work and also works with a good friend whose family has gone to the United States, Kumbia.

The film has some flashbacks but focuses on the work of Jose and Kumbia, the attacks by Jeronimo. The two young men concoct a plan to steal the sheep from the rich owner, take them to the border, sell them and cross into the United States. However, it does not work out quite that way – especially with the help of the priest who had championed the young orphan in the past, treated him like a son – both severely and kindly – and helps with a deception that gives a happy ending to the film.

The leading role, Jose, is played by Christian Vasquez, a very popular actor from the Philippines.

1.A fold tale of Mexico, a modern folk tale?

2.The folk tale framework, the hitchhiker at night, the truck driver, falling asleep, asking for a story, the hitchhiker telling the story – and the flashbacks for the full story of Jose?

3.The voice-over, the narrative, the comments on the characters?

4.The title, the literal black sheep, Jeronimo shooting it, Jose and Kumbia as black sheep, the way they were treated? And covering a white lamb with tar to make it a black sheep?

5.The flashbacks, the different colour grading, the jerky movement to indicate the flashback? Jose as the orphan, the priest concerned, giving him to Don Leandro, his upbringing, playing with Jeronimo, the differences, the rivalry, Jeronimo spoilt, a boy of spite? Maria, her attraction? Stopping her friendship with Jose? The repercussions?

6.Jose, his age, working as a shepherd, poor, friends with Kumbia? Their talk, the dreams? The United States, Kumbia’s mother and family there? Jose and his longing for Maria? Jeronimo shooting the sheep, Jose stealing the money from the church, buying another lamb, colouring it? Fooling Don Leandro – and his blaming Jeronimo? Jeronimo later discovering the truth?

7.Jose, his glimpse of Maria, the dream, the plan, stealing the sheep, leaving, Kumbia cheerful, talk?

8.The role of the priest, the comment about his loving money, however, his using the collection to renovate the church, painting the statues, searching for the stolen money, interrogating people, Jose? Jose and his confessing?

9.Jeronimo and his being spoilt, relationship with his father, the shooting match, the tie with Jose and his upset? With Maria, drinking, sick? His spoiling the dream of Jose?

10.Jose, at work, with the sheep, the shooting match and his ability? His moods, Maria and her teasing, the kiss?

11.The plan, taking the sheep, the fireworks, the flat tyre to prevent Jeronimo chasing them, kissing Maria, oblivious of the time? His being late, Jeronimo and the bashing? Maria and her telling the police, the arrests?

12.Maria in herself, her wilfulness, her father and his ambitions, Arturo and his realism about his sister, Arturo helping at the end?

13.The arrest, Kumbia seeming dead? Jeronimo and the blame? The second plan, the whisper to Arturo, the priest helping, Kumbia smuggled away, Jose and his taking the sheep, the escape, the happy reunion with Kumbia and his family?

14.Issues of class, wealth, opportunities and lack of opportunities, betrayal, hopes?