Zama

Duncan Gray

Like Herzog filtered through Tati, we have an absurdist historical portrait of "the new world", full of tart, frustrated irony. Is it about colonization? An emasculated conqueror? The lives of men and women? The values of an invented country? A mild yes to all four—the final act diffuses more than I'd like, but it builds to a line that sums them up: “I do for you what no one did for me. I say no to your hopes.”

El Biffo

A sumptuous, nuanced and brutal tale of power, bureaucracy, and oppression. A+ for acting, casting, script, production design, costumes, sound design and cinematography (did I leave anything out?). In my opinion, this cements the status of Lucrecia Martel as an auteur of the highest order. I hope it won't be another ten years before we see her next film!

Daniel S.

**1/2. It seems that for a lot of critics and movie lovers, 'Zama' is the best movie shown in theaters in 2018. Personally, I didn't watch so many 2018 films but I can easily point out 2 or 3 films I like a lot more than this one. That's the problem, 'Zama' may be the best film of 2018 because of its subject, intelligence, colours or I dont know what but it completely lacks what's at the heart of a great movie: Life.

Carlos Filipe Freitas

Filled with situations that mirror the social and racial preconception of the time, this hypnotic tale of punishment and atrocious colonialism is an engrossing experience, likely to be turned into a cult film.

Renton47

Every detail of Zama seems constructed to eschew a history of colonisation that is perpetuated through the acts of depiction and myth-making. Right down to its obvious digital look which often neglects the vistas the still suggests. It is an act of undoing in a way I haven't quite grasped - even at its most oblique (and I read the book!) I was thrilled to be in the fever Martel induces through sound and image.

Bilouaustria

CINEMA, DCP _ Martel herself described this atmospherical work as "a film of science-fiction set in the past". And you can be disturbed by the rhythm or dislike some bits of the screenplay but it still is a superb achievement : look at the work on framing, editing, the off-screen, the sound design, Martel has a very sophisticated and singular vision. She says the sound comes first in her mind, the image later.

Loz Loory

Awe-inspiring in its creation of a complete universe unto itself. Sumptuous cinematography (particularly during the expedition). The anxiety and disorientation of prolonged life in the "New World" is perfectly conveyed through the sound design and acting. Reminiscent of "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" and "Embrace of the Serpent." Best seen on the big screen.

OFF_FRAME

Combine Jauja and Embrace of the Serpent and you will end up quite close to the tonal landscape of Zama. A somnolent, black-humoured and ridiculing look at the life of a languishing magistrate in the colonies of seventeenth century Paraguay. Built with entrancing sound design of the jungle mixed with drones that swarm and hint at the eventual engulfing of Diego de Zama, an outsider on foreign soil. Sublime 4.5 stars