El Conde - Review | Venice 2023
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Pablo Larrain / Netflix © 2023
Directed by: Pablo Larraín
Written by: Guillermo Calderón, Pablo Larraín
Starring: Jaime Vadell, Gloria Münchmeyer, Alfredo Castro, Paula Luchsinger
Runtime: 110 min
Synopsis: The film portrays Augusto Pinochet, a symbol of world fascism, as a vampire who lives hidden in a ruined mansion in the cold southern tip of the continent. Feeding his appetite for evil to sustain his existence. After two hundred and fifty years of life, Pinochet has decided to stop drinking blood and abandon the privilege of eternal life. He can no longer bear that the world remembers him as a thief. Despite the disappointing and opportunistic nature of his family, he finds new inspiration to continue living a life of vital and counterrevolutionary passion through an unexpected relationship.
Pablo Larrain / Netflix © 2023
Editor's Note: Original review was written for FandomWire. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
El Conde delivers an effective, brutally gory sociopolitical satire packed with sarcastic commentary, offering an amusing narrative that compares the eternity of vampires with the impunity of the Chilean dictator's crimes. Technically wonderful, employing a stunning black-and-white canvas that will leave any cinephile delighted, as well as excellent contributions from cinematography, score, and editing for a captivating immersive experience. Underdeveloped characters and repetitive messages remove some of the biggest impact the film could have had.
