Vonia Viridiana (1961) Buñuel's exile film, Trying to make a statement. Murder, suicide, Poverty, and religion. Some good scenes but not enough. (Tanka (短歌 tan-kah) poems are unrhymed short poems that are five lines long, with the 5-7-5-7-7 syllable format. #Tanka #PoemReview

framptonhollis By the end of "Viridiana", the viewer has experienced an explosion of unique and original cinema. This often banned, highly controversial film is perhaps the finest work within famous surrealist Luis Bunuel's prolific filmography, joining the ranks of such masterpieces as "Un chien andalou" and "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie". It is a film split into two distinct halves; the first half focuses on the nun Viridiana's brief visit to her sick uncle's mansion in which she has a strange, demented encounter with the man after he suggests something taboo and, frankly, perverted. The situation escalates, leading to the second half in which Viridiana is left scarred and desperately seeks redemption by caring for a group of impoverished men and women, each of whom has their own quirks and flaws as well as a fine taste for mischief and, in the end, absolute chaos.The first half succeeds in terms of tragic, disturbing drama, while the second takes a much more comical approach while still remaining quite dark and chilling in tone. The end result is a fusion of comedy and drama that is as haunting, unique, weird, and awkward as any film in the history of world cinema. There are no heroes or villains in Bunuel's world, only characters, each with their own ups and downs, and the cast of characters showcased in "Viridiana" serves as strong evidence for that claim. The title character (played with all of the necessary charm and melancholy needed by the lovely Silvia Pinal) is both an occasionally foolish pawn for Bunuel's religious satire as well as an empathetic and kindhearted woman who only wants to do good, but, unfortunately, is doomed to much failure. The poverty stricken individuals she seeks to support are fueled by entertaining and hilarious personalities; their banter is witty and their actions are often shocking, and I could not help but love them, and LOVE watching them (especially when they acted out in the most outrageous ways possible)! Bunuel is a genius when it comes to, among many other things, challenging his audience's morals; he pokes the viewer with a mischievous stick that dares them to laugh along with the sickest plots imaginable and to enjoy the zany presence of some of his most immoral characters. Various scenes from "Viridiana" surpass most other movies in terms of humor, magic, and flat-out quality. One sequence is made historical due mainly to its unique editing, as Bunuel's lens captures a prayer conducted by Viridiana and the impoverished jesters she seeks to save that is contrasted with the hard workers surrounding them. Bunuel cuts from prayer to labor in a way that fills my stomach with butterflies and my mind with awe; it is a tongue and cheek, meaningful little sequence that is further enhanced by its unbeatable technical mastery as brilliant editing, sound design/mixing, and camera movement/placement. That one scene alone should serve as an urgent enough recommendation for any film lover to immediately seek out and watch this brilliant, blasphemous, tragic, and hilarious epic of a film.

Sergeant_Tibbs Luis Buñuel is one of those directors I really want to love. Los Olvidados was a winner for me but Exterminating Angel, Discreet Charm, Belle de Jour and now Viridiana are films I consider good but not great. Perhaps their meanings just fly over my head. There's no doubt that Viridiana has Buñuel's finest cinematography. With its deep whites and blacks and brilliant framing, it's one of the finest shot films of the 60s at the very least. But there's something about the story that doesn't sit with me right. I just don't know what Buñuel is trying to say with his stories. The plot progresses and it's interesting watching this character be tested throughout these obstacles and it never feels like it's trying to say something that isn't cryptic. Is it about morality? Class comparison? Religion? I don't mind when films don't spell it out for me but when a film like Viridiana is so exquisitely shot and acted, it's quite unsatisfying and a little frustrating to not get anything out of it. Maybe it does touch those who love it in a way that I just don't relate to at all to even recognize. Still, very good on the surface.7/10

ma-cortes This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking film initially banned in Spain and completely denounced by the Vatican . Although it was voted best Spanish film by professionals and critics in 1996 Spanish cinema centenary . It deals with the novice Angelic Viridiana (Silvia Pinal) who visits his uncle Jaime (Fernando Rey) in the mansion prior to taking her religious vows . Jaime is stunned by her remarkable resemblance to deceased spouse who passes away on their wedding night . Later on , there appears his nephew (Francisco Rabal). Meanwhile Viridiana attempts to help some local beggars .This prohibited movie is widely considered a Luis Buñuel's masterpiece . It's a parable based on a Benito Perez Galdos' novel titled Halma concerning about a young nun full of illusions and kindness along with some tattered beggars . It is packed with some humor , hilarious situations , brooding drama , corruption and criticism to Catholic Church and useless altruism . The original ending of the film showed Viridiana knocking on her cousin's door, entering, and the door closing slowly behind her , this version was rejected by Spanish censors . After years of living in Mexico, Luis Buñuel was persuaded to make his first film in his native Spain since 1936 by the vanguard of young contemporary Spanish film-makers who admired his work . Buñuel returning his native country , Spain , by making 'Viridiana' but this film was prohibited on the grounds of blasphemy , then Buñuel with his screenwriter Julio Alejandro go back Mexico where realizes in low budget 'Simon of the desert' and also produced by Gustavo Alatriste . The script was initially approved by the Spanish authorities with a few minor changes. They had no opportunity to view the finished film until it played at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the Palme d'Or . Nevertheless they were sufficiently horrified by what they saw to ban the film. Splendid main cast gives superb acting as Fernando Rey , Francisco Rabal and Silvia Pinal as idealist ascetic ex-nun . Large secondary cast formed by ragged beggars as Lola Gaos , Jose Calvo , Jose Luis Martin , Joaquin Roa, and Maria Isbert ,daughter of the great Jose Isbert . It appears uncredited as a little girl Teresa Rabal , Francisco Rabal's daughter . Good and atmospheric cinematography by excellent cameraman Jose F. Aguayo . Religious and classic music score including ¨Haendel's Messiah¨ and the ethereal strains of Alelluya . The picture was originally realized by 'the maestro of Calanda' , Luis Buñuel's location of birth , and was immediately banned . Despite the government's massive efforts to confiscate all copies , some of them were exhibited and the movie won deservedly the Palme dÓr at the Cannes Film Festival . Nice strange story for Luis Buñuel aficionados , being hauled by some reviewers as one of his best films ever made . Rating : Above average, worthwhile watching.