El Bola DVD

Advantages: A great plot, the cast and its strong message
Disadvantages: It isn't too much known outside Spain

...wonderful work in this film. El Bola isn’t just one drama film more it also is a report against the children’s mistreat. --- PLOT --- Pablo, called ‘El Bola’ is a boy who lives in a deprived borough in Madrid and who has like an amusement to play in train’s rails with his friends, until Alfredo comes. Alfredo is a new boy in the borough with a good and funny family without money problems. Not like in the family of El Bola, the money scarces, ...
...--- PRIZES --- El Bola is a film that surprised everybody in the Goya Award (Spanish Films Academy Awards) of its year (2001). It wasn’t between the favourites of the night and most of the people hadn’t seen it but it was the queen winning 5 statues. In Berlin, Achero Mañas won the prize to the best beginner director. At that time, there were lots of similarities between Achero Mañas and Amenabar, who also had had a big succes in the Goyas with ... Read review

Advantages: Tricky subject which needs exposure, done very well.
Disadvantages: No English audio track. Subtitles only. Not widely distributed.

...overcoming fear and outgrowing childhood, El Bola pulls at the heart strings with an intense force. I warn you that this isn't a family film. It covers topics which, for some, may be hard to watch. I watched it on my own one evening and I feel it changed my perception to certain situations. I mentioned as a disadvantage that the feature has a Spanish audio track with English subtitles, and no ENglish audio track. Personally I don't see this as a ...
...I purchased, only a trailer. I feel a behind-the-scenes documentary would have been a welcome addition. El Bola is certainly one for the DVD collection, and I highly recommend a viewing, perhaps one evening when you think your life is bad... watch this then take a look around you. ... Read review