Caco is a proud, handsome man, head of a family, and very powerful in the local community. Yet he has been torn to pieces by the death of his beloved daughter. He constantly visits her grave, weeps silently at her photo and has transferred all his wildly protective love and attention onto his mentally challenged nephew, Diego. It seems that Diego's father, Caco's brother, is in hiding after having killed a man from the Caravaca family, who are equally powerful in the community. They are looking for vengeance and have come to Caco for justice. When he refuses to betray his brother, the Caravacas grow impatient. When they realize they are getting nowhere, they threaten to kill Diego. Despite his fierce pride, Caco eventually realizes that the cycle of killing and revenge must be broken. But how can he achieve this and protect everyone he loves?
Direction
Gatlif's camera worships bodies in motion like nobody's business.
Score
Live flamenco performances that ache more than the dialogue.
Acting
Canales moves like a wounded bull — magnificent, doomed.
Director
Tony Gatlif
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in the Sacromonte caves of Granada, using real Gitano community members rather than professional actors for many roles.
Antonio Canales was a legendary flamenco dancer before acting; this was his film debut and he never topped it.
DE
JP
