Zama

Martel manages to incorporate something akin to absurdity in this otherwise bracing portrait of a forgotten man. Zama's situation sees him as a part of the machine, a "functionary" of the king, as he is called multiple times in the film. But he hardly functions at all as he awaits his greatest hope to be fulfilled--a reunion with his wife and children. Everything in Martel's world is a little off--wigs not quite right. And Zama in her frame is consistently constricted by all manner of things.

The historical depiction is impressive, the simple life, the daily struggle, a very different society from a very different moment in time. It's the life of a man that never really gets what he wanted.

Darkly humorous fever-dream. Daniel Gimenez Cacho is perfect, his face is just right for this role. Really wish I'd seen it in theaters, to fully enjoy the sound and visual work. Hopefully I get the chance later on. That scene with the llama is just incredible. Last 30 minutes get pretty wild. Look forward to rewatching after reading the book.

A delightfully subversive bit of historical chicanery.

Franz Kafka by way of Werner Herzog.