The Violin

Directed by Francisco Vargas
Film Movement
2005
98 Minutes
Mexico
Spanish
Drama, Latin American, Music
Not Rated
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Somewhere in Latin America a family of musicians and modest farmers join a fearless guerilla movement attempting to overthrow the brutal and sadistic government. When the military seizes their village, they flee to the sierra hills, forced to leave behind their stock of ammunition. While the guerillas organize a counter-attack, old Plutarco plays up his appearance as a harmless violin player in order to get into the village and recover the ammunition hidden in his corn fields. His violin playing charms the army captain, who orders Plutarco to come back daily. With tension escalating sky-high, guns and music take on a near holy significance with hundreds of lives hanging in the balance.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Francisco Vargas
  • Starring: Ángel Tavira

Where to Watch

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Trailer

Photos

Reviews

  • "One of the most amazing Mexican films in many a year...The Violin is filmmaking in its purest form. The debut film by Francisco Vargas moves us with its lyricism and shakes us with its honesty. A film that's moving, urgent and necessary."
    Guillermo del Toro, Director of Pan's Labyrinth
  • "A message this political has rarely been delivered in so poetic a form."
    Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
  • "A terrific debut by Vargas, who wrote, directed and produced."
    Anthony Quinn, Independent (UK)
  • "The Violin is so beautiful to look at, it almost wouldn't matter if it had a story. But it has one, and it's riveting."
    Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press
  • "The tiny, tough, sneakily moving film The Violin wears its revolutionary romanticism on its sleeve, not far from its gun."
    Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
  • "A movie of undeniable gravitas and monumentality...."
    J. Hoberman, Village Voice
  • "Once the political lines are drawn, Vargas' film becomes richly layered, and builds with greater and greater tension toward its harrowing, inevitable finale."
    Katey Rich, Film Journal International
Winner
Best Actor
Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard)
Winner
Best Film
Mexican Oscars
Winner
Best Screenplay
Mexican Oscars
Winner
Best Supporting Actor
Mexican Oscars
Winner
C.I.C.A.E. Award
San Sebastian Int'l Film Festival
Winner
Casa de América Award
San Sebastian Int'l Film Festival
Winner
SIGNIS Award
San Sebastian Int'l Film Festival
Winner
Best Film
Gramado Film Festival
Winner
Best Actor
Gramado Film Festival
Winner
Best Screenplay
Gramado Film Festival
Winner
Audience Award
Gramado Film Festival
Winner
Critic's Award
Gramado Film Festival
Winner
Skyy Prize
San Francisco Int'l Film Festival
Winner
Audience Award
San Francisco Int'l Film Festival
Official Selection
Toronto Int'l Film Festival
Official Selection
Chicago Int'l Film Festival
Winner
Best First Feature
Ariel Awards
Winner
Best Screenplay
Ariel Awards
Winner
Best Supporting Actor
Ariel Awards