HISTORIAS MINIMAS / MINIMAL STORIES - WHERE THE SMALL THINGS TAKE CENTER STAGE

Historias Minimas is the first in the “Argentinian Stories” trilogy by Argentinean director Carlos Sorin. Bombon El Perro is the second, andI have enjoyed both thoroughly. I am looking forward to getting to watch the third…
As I watched the film, I remembered once again the reason I love South American Cinema so much. Sorin’s film, like so many films of the genre, is full of the stories and the life of the continent. I know, I should be giving you a synopsis around now but in fact I am not sure where to begin, because the film, like life itself, doesn’t have a concrete theme… An old man takes off on his own to a distant town on a search for his lost dog, but is this really the only reason for his travels? A traveling salesman is preparing a birthday surprise for the child of a pretty widow he has met on his travels… A poor peasant woman is selected to participate in a TV show where she may win a trip to Brazil or a food processor – but she neither has much food or electricity in her house! All these completely unconnected stories come together and drift apart again, along with many other little things to make a perfect mirror of life, full of laughter, irony and tragedies both small and large…
Historias Minimas is indeed minimal. It reminds us that life, for many reasons – mainly economical – in South America is tougher than others. The “trappings” other people (Hollywood for instance) posses may not be at hand. Therefore, the things that matter, life itself, comes into perspective. The little things in life that are actually so important but get overlooked get center stage for a change… Minimal Stories is a down to earth and “real” film. And it was VERY refreshing in many ways, even though I am not a big fan of minimal cinema. Definately watch it, and maybe get introduced to the Latin American style while you’re at it. If you haven’t been introduced yet you honestly don’ t know what you’re missing and Carlos Sorin is a brilliant way to start…