Additional Captures

Director: Fernando Colomo

Other Actors: Veronica Forque, Juan Echanove, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon

From Paulo in Spain:

I thought that it would be a good idea to tell you something about some of Antonio's early films in Spain. I'll start with "Bajarse al moro", which you'll find in the Internet Movie Database as "Going south shopping"; well, it's an approximate translation. The original title stands more or less for that, but in a marginal jargon that was popular in the time that the movie was made. In fact, the film is based on a theatrical play that became popular in that moment (1987-88) because it portrayed accurately and with a lot of humor that marginal world.

The plot of the film talks about two people (a girl and a guy) who are cousins and that live as bohemians in a small flat (they are played by Veronica Forque, who appeared in Almodovar's "Kika", and Juan Echanove, who is also in Almodovar's "The flower of my secret"; both of them are well-known actors here in Spain). They make their living by transporting and dealing small amounts of drugs, though ironically, the boyfriend of the girl is a neurotic and jealous policeman (Antonio), which leads to some comic situations because of their different styles of life. One day, they meet a girl of a rich family who has just escaped from home, and who wants to have some fun and adventure (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, from "A walk in the clouds"), and they convince her to go with them to Morocco to get some drugs. The guy (Juan Echanove) falls in love with her, but so does the policeman, and the plot complicates in a way that... er... I don't remember now (I saw this a lot of years ago, sorry). Finally the rich girl and the policeman marries (which is logic, because their style of life, attitudes... are much the same), and leave the bohemian cousins alone as the losers of the story.

Though it may seem a sad or somber story, I remember that it was a very funny film, with some bitterness only at the end. I remember that, in one of the first posts of this mailing list, you talked about Antonio's first roles in Spain as typically belonging to neurotic Woody Allen-style comedies; well this film could fit in that description.

Sharon W.'s interpretation:

"Bajarse al Moro" or "Going South shopping" I believe the title means to go south [of Spain] to North Africa [Morocco] in order to buy drugs. Although the movie includes some serious issues it is a comedy about a group of young people and the situations they go through as they move through life.

The movie begins with Chusa arriving in Spain from Morocco via boat after a "shopping trip". Suddenly the alarm goes up that there are Custom's Officers present causing a rush of people, including Chusa, back on to the boat to escape discovery. Afterward we begin meeting the other characters. Alberto(Antonio) is Chusa's boyfriend and they live in a small apartment in Madrid. Jaimito is Chusa's cousin and a friend of Alberto's. Chusa and Alberto have very interesting neighbors including a rock band that practice on a balcony across from Chusa's balcony at all hours of the day and night. This is the cause of several comedic episodes that occur including a time when Chusa is chasing a nude (except for a strategically held feather fan) Alberto around on the balcony and are surprised by the rock band on the other balcony cheering them on.

Alberto is a police officer. His mother (Chus Lampreave)makes many funny visits to the apartment in an attempt to keep Alberto from getting into trouble with his career because of Chusa and her friends and their involvement with drugs. His parents are unhappy with his choice or friends. In one hysterical scene when the group is startled by a possible "Raid" Chusa has Alberto and Elena (a young woman who has run away from her rich parents and has found sanctuary with Chusa) hiding under a table while Jaimito tries to get rid of the tiny "pot" plant over the balcony wall to the apartment next door.

Chusa tries to set Jaimito up with Elena who is unhappy about still being a virgin. This match seems to take hold until later when Alberto is thrown together with Elena at a party and an attraction forms. (Chusa never encourages that event although she doesn't stop them). Chusa become depressed over this and commiserates with Jaimito about both their losses.

One evening, while Alberto and Elena are in the bedroom and Chusa and Jaimito are talking in the living room, they are accosted by 2 men who force their way into the apartment looking for drugs and money. Alberto, being unprepared to help at that moment, is unable to subdue the culprits and Jaimito finds Alberto's gun and saves the day. Alberto was upset at Jaimito (on the surface) for taking a chance on his and all their lives with the gun. But, below the surface he was embarrassed that he was not the one who rescued them and this happened in front of Elena. While expressing his anger at the situation Alberto accidentally shoots Jaimito in the arm and a comical ride to the hospital in a neighbor's car ensues. Jaimito recovers but is shocked into rethinking his lifestyle when he sees someone he knows to be an addict brought into the hospital DOA.

Chusa leaves to "Go South Shopping", (earlier she had discussed with Alberto that she wanted to go on that trip and she wanted to take Elena with her). Elena, as planned with Alberto, leaves Chusa stranded on the train by herself and goes off to help Alberto move out). Chusa has her own reality check when she runs into an old lover in Morocco who is now a burn out and who has to be reminded by Chusa that they know each other and that they were once engaged. He rambles on and makes little sense, remembering only little snippets of their relationship. She sits and listens sadly. Then she asks him to return to Spain with her and let her help him get his life straight. He refuses. He tells her that everything is fine for him where he is. Resigned and sad she returns to Spain alone and without what she went there for. She is arrested by undercover cops at the Madrid train station who evidently suspect her of buying drugs on her trip.

Meanwhile, Jaimito has found out about Alberto and Elena's plan to move out of the apartment together while Chusa is away. He confronts Alberto angrily. Eventually Chusa runs into Jaimito and when they return to her apartment they find Alberto and Elena still in the process of moving out with the help of his very happy parents. Alberto and Chusa say their goodbyes. She is sad and speaks of their 4 years together then asks for her key back but shows no anger. Elena tries to explain to Chusa that she didn't plan to hurt her it just happened.

Later, Chusa and Jaimito are sitting in the apartment talking about what has happened. Chusa reveals to Jaimito that she is pregnant. Jaimito asks her if Alberto knows this. Chusa had not told Alberto because she felt it would not change his feelings and she did not want to keep him with her on those terms. Jaimito tells her that he is there for her. In the end Chusa has the baby and goes on with her life without Alberto. Jaimito has remained supportive and both have gotten past the hurt and moved on with their lives. The movie ends on happy note.

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Spanish Films