Parque vía

Parque vía is a skilful and stylistically assured film, with taciturn and intimate studies of the few people in the story. Beto is a caretaker who has lived in and looked after the same apartment for thirty years. His life changes abruptly, however, when the owner finally, after many years, manages to sell the house. To a caretaker whose sole task has been to never leave the house, the prospect of another life out among people is hard to live with.

The film belongs to the new Latin American hyper-realistic school and has more in common with Lisandro Alonso’s formalism than countryman Carlos Reygadas’s nihilism. The film is visually strong, relying heavily on close studies of interesting faces. Despite its minimal realism, it remains engaging throughout. The actors are all amateurs, and he leading man Nolberto Coria’s real job is comparable to the one he has as Beto.

Parque vía has received numerous awards, including the debutant award at the Havana film festival and the main prize (The Golden Leopard) during the 2008 Locarno festival. It is one of the most acclaimed Latin American film on this years festival circuit. bb