Horse Money is Pedro Costa’s latest interpretation of life in the slums of Portugal, set in the Lisbon town of Fontainhas. The story focuses on the bewildered construction worker, Ventura (played by himself) and a journey back in time to faces and places from the past.
Throughout the film we are witness to many trials and tribulations Ventura has been faced with in the past, and how they have left him disturbed and unwell. The film starts as Ventura awakens in a hospital bed, which seems to be in some sort of eerie institute. We later find out that his reasons for being there are due to an incident in the woods, in which he stabbed his co -worker. Whilst being in the institute, wondering the empty dark tunnels, he is reminded of the strains of life as a poor man. We are exposed to the struggles of supporting a family, and like many others living in the Portuguese slums, trying to keep sane. These haunting memories are not just of individual incidents, but of the Portuguese revolution. When Ventura is being questioned by hospital staff, he believes he is nineteen, and the year is 1975, although it’s 2013. This seems to be Costa telling the audience that Ventura is not an unstable forgetful man, but that his mind is troubled from the hardship of the revolution.
The whole atmosphere of the film is very dark, angry and depressing, but at the same time, powerful and captivating. This was the first of Pedro Costa’s films I have watched, and it took me a few times before I could grasp the concept and meaning of Horse Money. The dialogue is limited, as is the lighting, but both play an important part in creating the intensity of the film. Ventura gives a very raw and honest performance, as well as representing the suffering that many men like him, and Costa, would have gone through in the Portuguese revolution.
The way that Ventura is portrayed as a frail, unwell, and confused man, shows the real effects of what living in the slums may have done to people. It’s clear that Costa feels direct empathy towards the characters in the film, especially Ventura because of the similarities in his and Costa’s lives.
It may be for the best to familiarise yourself with Costa’s style before watching Horse Money, or be prepared to watch it a couple of times. However, once you get past the artsy lighting, and the complex storyline, it’s a very emotional portrayal of a troubled man, with a troubled past.
Horse Money will be shown at Broadway Cinema from Friday 25 September 2015 to Wednesday 30 September 2015.
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