REC

A human being can only put up with a limited amount of reality TV before developing an insatiable hunger for a poisonous horror version. The nicest from the last year comes from Barcelona, and was made by Jaume Balagueró and – don’t forget – Paco Plaza, who are using the idea both creatively and effectively. REC is a great hit in Spain.
As the title indicates, everything we get to see comes from the (television) camera. The heroin’s role is for the equally cynical-optimistic as practically oriented TV reporter Angela (energetically played by Manuela Velasco) who is sent out to report with a simple commission to spend the night with the fire brigade for the programme ‘When You’re Asleep’. Waiting for a call to action, she interviews some of the firemen. The makers seduce us with some very sharp portraits and then – to the great joy of the reporter – the phone rings. The problem is as boring as it can get: an old woman locked in her apartment. From that moment on, the tempo rises relentlessly. Before they know it, inhabitants, helpers and TV crew are locked in the apartment complex because of an unknown virus. ‘We have to tape everything,’ is the order when the first worrying signs appear. Yeah. Keep taping to the bitter end. (GT)

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