BIUTIFUL (2010) is anchored by an astounding performance from Javier Bardem as Uxbal, an underworld businessman who spends his days in the seedy parts of Barcelona that tourists never see, mixed up in an array of illegal activities involving Chinese sweatshop workers, pirated goods, and drugs sold by African street peddlers.
Uxbal is a devoted father to his young children, struggling to manage his and their complicated relationship with their estranged bipolar mother. He is also a spiritual sensitive, accepting money from those desperate for him to communicate with their recently departed loved ones. After a terminal cancer diagnosis, Uxbal must use his little remaining time to tie up the multiple threads of his chaotic life.
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu has assembled all the right elements to tell this story: wonderful performances (Bardem won the Best Actor prize at Cannes), a grave and haunting score, and cinematography that captures the fierce beauty of Barcelona as well.
Presented by Latino Network and the Hollywood Theatre with a discussion after the film.
Guest passes and member guest passes accepted.