Savages (Salvajes)

Running time: N/A

Winner of the 2002 Spanish Academy Awards (Goyas) for Best Adapted Screenplay and nominated for Best New Actress and Best New Director, Carlos Molinero powerfully examines passion, patriotism, and racial violence in his vivid and intelligent debut feature. Berta, a middle-aged nurse, lives alone with her late sister's three rebellious kids but continues to nurture hope of romance. More jaded and prone to heavy boozing, but equally open to a relationship, Eduardo is a detective who starts dating Berta after meeting her at the hospital. When Eduardo's investigation of the beating of a Senegalese immigrant points to Berta's nephews, she refuses at first to face the truth-until learning that both of her nephews are active members of the local neo-Nazi chapter. Before Berta truly has time to come to terms with this new information, conflict turns an already miserable situation into a volatile and almost menacing one. Marisa Paredes (best known for her work in Pedro Almodovar's films) portrays a woman who is both strong and vulnerable at the same time with convincing and haunting results. Stylishly directed and packed with emotion, Savages removes the many-layered veils to present an honest and explosive depiction of racism, conditions, and attitudes in Europe. - Mike Rabehl