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(aka "Down to Earth" )

directed by Pedro Costa
Portugal / France / Germany 1995

Leao, a Cape Verdian man working on a construction site in Portugal has a fall and ends up in a coma. While still comatose, arrangements are made from his hometown to have him sent back. A nurse, Mariana, ready for a change of scene, volunteers to accompany him. Upon her arrival, nothing is as she expects. No one seems to be waiting for Leao.

As Mariana waits for someone to turn up, even Leao from out of his coma, she gets increasingly involved with the mysterious community and the intrigue mounts. In fact, CASA DE LAVA recalls CHINATOWN, where the nosy outsider steps into a situation that turns out to be much more than was bargained for.

The narrative itself, however, takes a back seat to poetics, which crafts stanzas out of ellipses and assumes a meter of remarkably edited cinematic rhythm. Director Pedro Costa creates some arresting portraiture, especially the selective low-angled close-ups, while cinematographer Emmanuel Machuel arrives at some exquisite night shots. The mise-en-scene ranges from highly suggestive to quite stealthy. An arsenal of symbolism, audio-visual disjunction, and insinuating edits work to paint a portrait of the social landscape. The pacing of CASA DE LAVA never languishes; the music is always in the moving image, whether the infectious Cape Verdian soundtrack is playing or not. out of

Fred Patton

Posters

Theatrical Release: 10 February 1995 (Portugal)

Reviews DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Gemini Vidéo Editions - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Fred Patton for the Review!

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Gemini Vidéo Editions Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:45:28
Video	1.66 : 1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.4 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate
Audio	2.0 Dolby Digital Portuguese
Subtitles	English, French, Portuguese, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Gemini Vidéo Editions Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66 : 1 Edition Details: • Director's preparation notebook along with film music, 31:11 • Discussion from Emmanuel Machuel, the cinematographer, 7:47 • Analysis by Serge Kaganski, 4:11 • Trailers (O sangue, Ossos, Casa de Lava) • Gallery Photos • Filmographies DVD Release Date: 1/24/2005 Snap Case Chapters 14

Comments

The disc is subtitled throughout the bonus content and the film. This seems to be a standard for Gemini Vidéo Editions, who decide on some 15 films to release a year and handle them like artworks. While there is no director commentary or interview with the director, the provided supplements are excellent. Costa's preparation notebook is a gem. Kaganski's commentary is quite brief. Machuel's 8 minute talk is nice. All said, the extras are perhaps a wee bit lean, but the notebook slide show leaves me very satisfied. I look forward to pursuing the rest of Gemini's catalogue.

- Fred Patton

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Gemini Vidéo Editions

Region 2 - PAL

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