Film Review: Wakolda (12A) (Argentina/Spain/Norway/France 2013) (Director: Lucia Puenzo) (Spanish, German & Hebrew with English Subtitles), Filmhouse, Screen Three, Edinburgh, Friday 22.08.2014, 20:45

This film is set in Patagonia in 1960 and it's advertising informs it is 'inspired by true events'.The story concerns the arrival in the area of a mysterious German speaking doctor and how he gains the trust of a pregnant mother and daughter of stunted growth within a local family. The film some way in, subtly makes it clear that it is presenting a version of what may have occurred in regard one Doctor Mengele, made infamous by the Nazi regime of Hitler's Germany.     

I was very impressed by this film. I felt it was finely acted by all involved. It is well written and edited. The film does not feel overly long or short, and is a nice length at just over 90 minutes. The story has subtleties as to how it is told visually, some of which I had not picked up upon straight away, it is only while cogitating upon afterwards that these nuances became clear. The cinematography & shot selection are quite striking and beautiful. The ending does not provide any neat resolution, an element I usually like. 

The film also deals with, in a very restrained way, as to how Nazism continued to have globally very far reaching affect upon peoples lives some considerable years after the end of the second world war. The film shows how such a person can insidiously gain peoples favour and trust by presenting a facade based on half/concealed truth, trying to present to the community as a kindly doctor. The film manages that rare thing for a piece revolving around the actions of the Nazis, in that it does not feel exploitative in anyway. 

I did for a short time within the film question whether a 12A certificate is appropriate. Though I quickly realised that the films true horrors are to some degree reliant upon the viewer having some knowledge as to what the Nazis had done. I suspect that someone coming to this without such knowledge would still find the film engrossing, though not as grave. 

The film also presents a very intriguing question. The mother of the family has a complicated birth to twins and calls on the doctor's ability to assist the newborn-children. Her husband is expressing to her his concerns as to who he suspects the doctor to be and her response, due to the assistance the doctor is giving, is to say that she does not care. This poses the idea that can someone have past crimes forgiven if they are being helpful in the present. Subsequently this question is cancelled out, as it becomes clear that the true nature of his 'assistance' has not been made clear to the mother. Though this itself reminds of a further point, what someone accepts is based on their perception, not on actual truth. 

As is clear, I feel there is a lot to recommend this film and I would recommend to anyone who does not require saccharine when watching a film. It has been several months since I have come across a top-notch new film, another reason why this was a welcome trip to the talkies. 

Rating: 10/10.