ROMNTICO (U.S. / 2005)

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*A 2006 U.S. Release* 



Shot over a three-year period, Romntico is a profoundly moving and thoroughly humanistic documentary portrait of mariachi musician Carmelo Muiz Snchez. Directed by newcomer Mark Becker, it initially presents the stocky 57-year-old man, an "illegal" immigrant from Mexico, working in San Franciscos Mission District with his long-time friend and musical partner Arturo Arias. They dont make much: about $50 each per night. Carmelo sends most of what he earns to his family back in Salvatierra, a small Guanajuato municipality about a thousand miles south of the U.S. border. While Carmelo misses his family members, hes proud of the fact that he has done his best to support them, which was the reason why he risked his life to migrate three years ago. But upon learning that his diabetes-ridden mother is practically on her deathbed, he decides to go back home.

Becker has stated that he was influenced by such landmark documentaries as Pennebaker's Dont Look Back (1967) and Maysles Brothers' Salesman (1969). And thats part of the reason why he shot Romntico on film (Super 16-mm), a unique choice for docs nowadays. But any poetry hes been able to infuse the work with is only meant to enrich and deepen the drama of life -- the life which introduces new challenges to Carmelo once he is back in his financially-challenged town. Neither detached nor sentimental, Beckers approach cogently captures the spirit and determination of his protagonist; there isnt a moment here which calls out for attention. Romntico could have navigated further, perhaps to go full circle if the opportunity allowed itself, though it gains its power and resonance not only from the struggles that are shown, but also from the ones that arent.

Grade: A-
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*The film premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. It will be released on DVD by Kino International.