Name: El cielo gira
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2005-05-13
Duration: 1 h 50 min
Rating: 6.9
Cast: Elías Álvarez, Mercedes Álvarez, Peio Azketa

Gorgeous, if ambiguous, documentary about rural life

This film is perhaps a little weak in conclusions or opinions, unlike many documentaries that set out to make a persuasive or political point. Instead, it reminds me of evidential films made by cultural anthropologists. It presents a stirringly beautiful slice of lifestyle that is disappearing from the developed world, showing elderly people who maintain joys, comfort, and wisdom in spite of poverty and a lack of modern education. Regardless of what you expect or read into it, however, the filming is stunningly beautiful at times. The photographer used natural light to great effect in saturated, well-composed video. Also, there was an engaging tendency to keep the camera rock still during long shots, while characters moved through the space. It was very refreshing to watch these stable, gorgeous environments with calm people occupying them; a stark contrast to the modern, jittery, hand-held style, and almost a remedy for a jittery, modern lifestyle. I saw an un-subtitled version and know little Spanish, but found it very enjoyable anyway, just enjoying the visual aspects.

Spanish-language cinema across Spain and Latin America is united by its engagement with history, cultural identity, and social transformation. In Spain, films often balance artistic experimentation with popular genres while reflecting on memory, politics, and family. In Latin America, cinema has been deeply tied to questions of colonial legacy, resistance, and community resilience, ranging from intimate dramas to bold political allegories.

Ana Torrent in The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

One year in the life of a tiny village in northern Spain.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Peio Azketa and Antonino Martínez in The Sky Turns (2004)

Antonino Martínez and José Fernández in The Sky Turns (2004)

Antonino Martínez and Silvano García in The Sky Turns (2004)

Cirilo Fernández in The Sky Turns (2004)

The Sky Turns

Videos2

Photos7

Top Cast17

User reviews7

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Top picks

Details

Box office

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed