Marym Muhanned

I love iranian cinema.. TOTALLY WORTH THE TIME.

Unpopular opinion: This trilogy was one of the most overrated trailogies in the history of cinema. Marlon Brando's role was exceptional though, that's the only point worth mentioning.

loved every bit of the movie, I knew from the very beginning that Kya's relation with nature was beyond everything .. She followed nature's survival methods until the very end.

Loved it. It might be disturbing for some, but I like this kind of psychological thriller series.

I had high expectations since it's a psychological thrill.. but it turned out, in my opinion, to be one the worst Kdrama TV shows I've ever watched.

A cinematic yawn-fest! The only good thing is the originality of the story .. Though irrelevant, it reminded me of the movie (The Omen |1976, which was also uninteresting.)

I watched the film long time ago but I decided to write this review after receiving a message from a fellow cinephile ( a stranger ) who have read my review on (Cria Cuervos) for the same splendid actress. Another reason for sharing this is my ultimate love for spanish classical cinema. Victor Erice's The Spirit of the Beehive (El espíritu de la colmena) is not just a film; it's an outstanding experience into the fragmented world of childhood. We see the Spanish countryside of the 1940s through the wide, curious eyes of Ana (Ana Torrent), a young girl grappling with the complexities of life and death. The film masterfully portrays the interplay between childhood innocence and the harsh realities of the adult world. Ana's world is filled with fantastical daydreams and playful explorations. She chases butterflies, whispers secrets to bees, and gets lost in the magic of storytelling.. However, the constant presence of her parents' hushed conversations about a recently deceased republican soldier casts a shadow over her idyllic world. Ana's encounter with the movie Frankenstein becomes a pivotal moment. the monstrous figure of Frankenstein's creation haunts her dreams, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.. This encounter symbolizes her burgeoning awareness of death and the unknown. It also reflects the fear and anxieties simmering beneath the surface of the seemingly peaceful village, a community still grappling with the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. Erice relies heavily on symbolism and indirect storytelling to create the film's atmosphere. The omnipresent buzzing of bees represents the constant hum of life and death. ( This reminds me of Dickinson’s poem (I Heard a Fly buzz—when I died) The vast, empty landscapes mirror Ana's internal struggle to understand the world around her. The recurring image of the broken train symbolizes the fractured nature of Spanish society. The film utilizes subtle cinematic techniques to further emphasize the world through Ana’s perspective. The camera often lingers on seemingly mundane details: a spider web, a flickering candle flame.. Dialogue is sparse, leaving much to the audience's interpretation. This approach allows us to experience the world as Ana does, piecing together meaning from fragmented glimpses and overheard conversations. The film's atmosphere is one of uncertainty and hushed whispers. The weight of the recent war hangs heavy in the air. Yet, there's also a sense of resilience and hope.. Ana's curiosity and innocent wonder offer a glimmer of optimism for the future.

One of the best psychologically disturbing movies I've ever seen.

I love Majidi's cinematography. One of my favorite iranian movies.

After watching this memorable film, I'm definitely going to be watching more spanish films. I've just read that the film’s title comes from the Spanish proverb "Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos", which translates as: “Raise ravens, and they’ll take out your eyes”. I love the title, its gloomy nature, and I'm so captivated by Ana's performance. I believe that her ghost will be forever haunting me. I'm also so into the unique representation of childhood that goes beyond simplicity and innocence which are a prevailing features in the world of children. This film navigates the intricate landscape of childhood, offering a poignant portrayal of the protagonist Ana's experiences. Set against a backdrop of family trauma, "Cría Cuervos" captures the psychological impact of childhood on one's development.. Ana becomes a window through which the audience witnesses the profound effects of family dynamics and personal loss on a young mind. Saura's directorial approach is marked by a visually striking style, employing symbolism and carefully composed shots to convey emotional depth. The film's use of color, particularly red, and its haunting musical score contribute to the overall atmospheric and emotional impact.. Saura creates a cinematic experience that goes beyond conventional storytelling, engaging the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. Moreover, the film features a haunting musical score composed by the Spanish composer Alberto Iglesias. The music plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative.. The use of music contributes to the dreamlike atmosphere, creating an immersive cinematic experience. Also, the "Porque te vas" performed by Jeanette is intertwined with the narrative, leaving a lasting imprint on the viewer's memory.. This song becomes a leitmotif, weaving through the film and serving as a melancholic backdrop to Ana's experiences.. the lyrics, combined with Jeanette's emotive delivery, capture the themes of loss and the passage of time. Spoiler alert: One of the central and shocking moments in the film is Ana's act of poisoning her father. This act is rooted in Ana's complex emotional response to her father's role in her mother's death.. The film captures Ana's psychological turmoil and the blurred lines between reality and her vivid imagination.. the scene becomes a manifestation of Ana's desire for control over her circumstances, driven by a mixture of grief, anger, and a need for retribution. Ana's attempt to poison her aunt adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. It reveals the extent of Ana's disturbed state of mind and her perception of the adults around her as sources of pain and suffering.. The use of poison as a means of dealing with perceived threats underscores the film's exploration of the darker aspects of human emotions and the consequences of family secrets. We can never know whether these acts are real or not. Whether we're only inside Ana's mind, the interplay between imagination and reality is quite captivating. I believe that these acts of violence are not presented as straightforward crimes but rather as manifestations of Ana's psychological response to the complex dynamics within her family.. when Ana calls upon death, this can be interpreted as a way to show Ana's boundless love and connection with her mother. Ana grows to be resembling her mother. her agony is so severe to the extent where she holds her mother's pain within her psyche. She longs for death and fantasize about committi-ng suicide because of the deep connection she'd developed with her mother. (I HAVE MORE TO SAY, BUT SADLY... THERE IS WORD LIMIT ):