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Cinema Muzeul Țăranului -
Thursday, March 17, 2016 - 18:00
Cinema Muzeul Țăranului -
Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 15:00
Written by:
Esteban Arrangoiz, Mariana Rodríguez
Cast:
Julio César cú Cámara
Cinematography:
Martín Molina
Editing:
Mariana Rodríguez, Esteban Arrangoiz
Sound:
Estíbaliz Márquez, Daniel Rojo
Music:
Juan Felippe Waller
Producer:
Esteban Arrangoiz, Victor Hugo Jiménez, Jaime B. Ramos, Mariana Rodríguez
Romanian Premiere
How does a city of 20 million people cope with an antiquated sewage system at risk of daily mass flooding due to the accumulated refuse? The answer is deep-sea diver and gonzo-Jacques Cousteau Julio César cú Cámara, who for the past 30 years has immersed himself in the terra fluida of Mexico City to unclog the sewer passageway of society’s detritus. Under Esteban Arrangoiz’ direction, Julio’s story transcends its social utility by submerging us past grainy Super 16mm images of abstracted landscapes of garbage into an unseen, silent realm. For us and Julio, each dive becomes a ritualistic act that plunges him in an altered state of consciousness among the unknown of darkness and miscellanea. Carrying itself with the wide-eyed fascination of a Jules Verne story, The Diver is a captivating portrait of a social worker’s metaphysical pilgrimage. (Andrei Tănăsescu, BIEFF 2016)
Director:
Website:
Contact:
earrangoiz[at]gmail[dot]com
Festivals, awards:
- Berlin International Film Festival 2016
- Best Documentary Short Award - Morelia International Film Festival 2015
- Cartagena International Film Festival 2016
- UNAM International Film Festival 2016
Director's statement:
I am a scuba diver; I think I started diving for the need I have to discover new worlds. When I found about Julio's work, I could not imagine what it was to dive into the black void of the sewerage waters, knowing the risk involved. I was especially interested in how Julio lived that experience, in the bottom of sewage. I think that Julio and his activities reflect a historic moment and can be a mirror of certain aspects of the human condition. (Esteban Arrangoiz)
Curatorial comment:
Over 20 million people live in Mexico City and its urban sprawl. The city’s wastewater system is old and overstrained. The threat of flooding due to blocked sewers and pipes is constant. There are a few rare divers willing to plunge to the bottom of the sewerage tunnels to inspect them for possible obstacles. The scale of obstacles tends to encompass mattresses and cars. It is difficult to discern anything in the depths, the wastewater is jet black. The city is Goliath, producing more than 12,000 tonnes of waste every day. David is the diver, who works not against, but for Goliath. Without David, Goliath would already be dead. David is Julio César cu Cámara. For over 30 years he has been diving to the very depths of the city. 'Yes', he says, 'I dive in the ocean with my children and I like it. But I prefer to dive here. Here in my own world, where I can do something for everyone.' (Berlin International Film Festival)
I am a scuba diver; I think I started diving for the need I have to discover new worlds. When I found about Julio's work, I could not imagine what it was to dive into the black void of the sewerage waters, knowing the risk involved. I was especially interested in how Julio lived that experience, in the bottom of sewage. I think that Julio and his activities reflect a historic moment and can be a mirror of certain aspects of the human condition. (Esteban Arrangoiz)
Curatorial comment:
Over 20 million people live in Mexico City and its urban sprawl. The city’s wastewater system is old and overstrained. The threat of flooding due to blocked sewers and pipes is constant. There are a few rare divers willing to plunge to the bottom of the sewerage tunnels to inspect them for possible obstacles. The scale of obstacles tends to encompass mattresses and cars. It is difficult to discern anything in the depths, the wastewater is jet black. The city is Goliath, producing more than 12,000 tonnes of waste every day. David is the diver, who works not against, but for Goliath. Without David, Goliath would already be dead. David is Julio César cu Cámara. For over 30 years he has been diving to the very depths of the city. 'Yes', he says, 'I dive in the ocean with my children and I like it. But I prefer to dive here. Here in my own world, where I can do something for everyone.' (Berlin International Film Festival)