El Conde

Cast View all

	Jaime Vadell	El Conde
	Gloria Münchmeyer	Lucia
	Alfredo Castro	Fyodor
	Paula Luchsinger	Carmencita
	Stella Gonet	Margaret
	Catalina Guerra	Luciana
	Amparo Noguera	Mercedes
	Antonia Zegers	Jacinta
	Marcial Tagle	Anibal
	Diego Muñoz	Manuel
	Clemente Rodriguez	Claude Pinoche
	Rosario Zamora	Sor Alberta
	Sofía Maluk	Margaret (joven)
	Marcelo Alonso	Strigoi
	Daniel Contesse	El Conde (28)
	Daniela Seguel	Lucía (20)
	Jaime McManus	Cardenal
	Alessandra Guerzoni	Mujer Prostituta 1
	Mariela Mignot	Mujer Prostituta 2
	Josefina González	Mujer Prostituta 3
	Fanny Moreno	Mujer Prostituta 4
	Aldo Parodi	Cura
	Claudio Barbas	Hombre Buque
	Francisca Walker	María Antonieta
	Mateo Iribarren	Verdugo

Crew View all

Director	Pablo Larrain
Writer	Guillermo Calderón, Pablo Larrain
Producer	Cristián Donoso, Rocío Jadue, Sergio Karmy, Juan de Dios Larrain, Pablo Larrain, Andrea Undurraga, Alejandro Wise
Photography	Edward Lachman

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Notes

My quick rating - 6.4/10. I read good things about this one so time to see for myself. This flick is a bold and ambitious film that takes a darkly satirical look at Augusto Pinochet, reimagining the infamous Chilean dictator as a centuries-old vampire yearning for death. With its sharp political commentary, stunning visuals, and genre-blending narrative, the film dares to tackle history and myth in a way that’s both provocative and polarizing. While it earned its 2024 nomination for Best Achievement in Cinematography, the movie doesn’t entirely live up to its potential, falling short in areas where it could have truly shined. Visually, it is mesmerizing. Its black-and-white cinematography lends a timeless, almost gothic quality to the film, perfectly suited for the vampire lore intertwined with Pinochet's legacy. Jaime Vadell’s portrayal of Pinochet is hauntingly effective, enhanced by devilish makeup that mirrors the character’s monstrous nature. The atmospheric settings and striking aerial shots add to the film’s sense of grandeur, while the incorporation of historical elements, such as Pinochet’s encounters with revolutionaries in places like Haiti, Cuba, and Russia, adds depth. The exploration of Pinochet’s vampire origins during the Ancien Régime is one of the movie’s highlights. These sequences are both eerie and captivating, offering a fresh twist on the vampire mythos while tying them to broader themes of power and exploitation. The timeline that traces Pinochet's opposition to revolutionaries across different nations is fascinating and offers glimpses of a deeper story, though it feels underdeveloped. The film’s greatest strength lies in its dark humor and biting political satire. The depiction of Pinochet’s greedy and morally bankrupt family, as well as the sinister presence of the torturer-turned-butler, adds layers of grotesque comedy and underscores the rot within his inner circle. It’s an indictment of corruption and complicity, brought to life with moments of sharp wit and gore-laden horror. However, El Conde is not without its flaws. The script feels unbalanced, and the pacing is inconsistent, oscillating between moments of brilliance and sluggish, drawn-out scenes that test your patience. While the film successfully traverses multiple genres—gore horror, dark comedy, political satire, and even thriller—it struggles to find a cohesive tone, leaving the experience feeling fragmented at times. The character development also leaves something to be desired. While their moral corruption is evident, the motivations and behaviors of many characters, including Pinochet himself, often feel inconsistent or underexplained. This lack of clarity diminishes the emotional impact of their actions and detracts from the film’s overall strength. In the end, it is a visually striking and thought-provoking film that deserves credit for its ambition and originality. Its political satire and unique take on vampire lore make it a memorable experience, even if it falls short of greatness due to its uneven pacing and character inconsistencies. While it didn’t fully meet my expectations, it’s still a film worth watching for its bold approach and exceptional visuals. My verdict: intriguing but flawed.

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