La montagne magique

  • 68'
  • France
  • 2015
The mountain referred to in the title, Cerro Rico near the Bolivian town of Potosi, is so hollowed out by centuries of mining that it threatens to collapse. Many interesting details could be discussed, but Schtakleff does something entirely different. He provides viewers with a commentary-free glimpse of the underground operations. In the scant light of a lantern he wanders the roughly hewn tunnels, with here and there miners at their toilsome task. A group of tourists provide a bizarre contrast.
The filmmaker enables us to experience this unglamourised, claustrophobic reality in a sober style with long shots and almost no dialogue. The patient rock breaking, the dust, the loudly rattling trucks, the panting. Immersion in a secret world in which miners make sacrifices to their own potent god, while the break-time conversations about above-ground pleasures and dramas feel somewhat surreal.
  • 68'
  • France
  • 2015
Director
Andrei Schtakleff
Premiere
International premiere
Country of production
France
Year
2015
Festival Edition
IFFR 2016
Length
68'
Medium
DCP
International title
The Magic Mountain
Language
Spanish
Producer
Marie-Odile Gazin
Production Company
The Kingdom
Sales
The Kingdom
Screenplay
Andrei Schtakleff
Cinematography
Andrei Schtakleff, Alexandra Mélot
Editor
Qutaiba Barhamji
Production Design
Marilou Gautier, Marie-Odile Gazin, Julie N Van Qui
Sound Design
Manuel Vidal
Music
Martin Wheeler
Director
Andrei Schtakleff
Premiere
International premiere
Country of production
France
Year
2015
Festival Edition
IFFR 2016
Length
68'
Medium
DCP
International title
The Magic Mountain
Language
Spanish
Producer
Marie-Odile Gazin
Production Company
The Kingdom
Sales
The Kingdom
Screenplay
Andrei Schtakleff
Cinematography
Andrei Schtakleff, Alexandra Mélot
Editor
Qutaiba Barhamji
Production Design
Marilou Gautier, Marie-Odile Gazin, Julie N Van Qui
Sound Design
Manuel Vidal
Music
Martin Wheeler