Land without Bread. 1932. Directed by Luis Bunuel.

(12/9/00)

This was shown in a very poor print. I could not hear all of the narration. I assume that the print was 16mm.

It just seemed like an average, run-of-the-mill documentary. I didn't see anything especially interesting about this film. It is about a very poor region in Spain and the miserable living conditions there.

There are a couple of shocking moments. One, of a sick donkey with insects all over it. Another was of a young girl who we are told had been lying in the street for three days. We are told what sickness she has and that she can't get treatment. (I think it was implied that she couldn't get treatment for lack of money.) Then we are informed that she died soon thereafter. This made me wonder: why didn't the makers of this film try to help her? That is a horrible thing to contemplate--that Bunuel and his associates might have been able to save a young life, but didn't.

There is one interesting shot--from above, I believe--of a donkey falling down a hill. And of course these starving villagers who live in such squalor have a beautiful church. That is a very Bunuel-like touch.