“The Children” is a horror movie about a dysfunctional family’s Christmas vacation that turns into a bloody nightmare. The children, infected with a mysterious virus, turn against their parents and unleash their inner demons in a fight for survival. The snow-covered landscape and eerie holiday music create an unsettling atmosphere that leaves the audience on edge until the chilling conclusion.
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Review
The Children: A Tale of Innocence Lost
In the sleepy Colombian town of San Luis, life is simple and slow-paced. The residents go about their daily routines, unaware of the dangers that lurk just beyond their borders. But when a group of children stumble upon an abandoned mansion in the woods, their lives are forever changed.
The Children, a film by director Francisco Espinosa, is a haunting portrayal of innocence lost in the face of violence and oppression. Based on the novel by Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, it weaves together elements of magical realism with stark realism to create a powerful and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
The film opens with a group of children playing in a field outside San Luis. Among them are siblings Isabel (Paulina Gaitan) and Enrique (Sebastian Leon), as well as their friend Ana (Lina Uribe). The trio sets off into the woods to explore, but stumbles upon an ominous mansion hidden among the trees.
Inside, they discover evidence of torture and death – symbols of the violence that has plagued Colombia for decades. Despite their fear, the children continue to explore the mansion and its dark secrets.
As they delve deeper into its depths, they encounter a band of guerilla fighters who have taken refuge there. Led by Commander Patricio (Gustavo Angarita Jr.), they are fighting against government forces in an effort to bring peace to Colombia.
At first frightened by these strangers, the children soon come to see them as protectors – people who will fight for what is right no matter what. They become embroiled in the conflict, caught between a desire for justice and a yearning for their own safety.
As tensions rise between the guerillas and government forces, so too do tensions within the group itself. Isabel falls in love with Patricio, while Ana develops feelings for Enrique. The bonds between them are tested as the violence around them intensifies.
With stunning cinematography and a hauntingly beautiful score, The Children is a masterful work of art. Its themes of innocence, love, and loss resonate long after the credits have rolled.
The film’s cast is superb, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their roles. Gaitan is particularly impressive as Isabel, conveying both strength and vulnerability with ease. Angarita Jr., too, shines as Patricio – a man torn between his duty to his cause and his love for Isabel.
It’s easy to see why The Children has garnered critical acclaim since its release in 2008. It won Best Film at the Cartagena Film Festival in Colombia, as well as numerous other awards at international film festivals.
But beyond its accolades lies a deeper truth: that even in the face of unspeakable violence, there is still hope for love and humanity. The Children is a testament to that truth, a moving and poignant reminder of the power of innocence – even in the darkest of times.
As Marquez himself once wrote: “I have learned that violence is always fertile ground for pathos.” In The Children, Espinosa has brought this lesson to life with remarkable skill, creating a film that will linger in viewers’ minds long after it has ended.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 84
- Release : 2008-12-05
- Genre : Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Cast : Eva Birthistle as Elaine, Hannah Tointon as Casey, Stephen Campbell Moore as Jonah, Rachel Shelley as Chloe, Jeremy Sheffield as Robbie
- Crew : Stephen Hilton as Music, David Katznelson as Second Unit Director of Photography, James Richardson as Producer, Andrew Cox as Costume Design, Gary Davy as Casting
- Popularity 7.208
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Aramid Entertainment Fund, Barnsnape Films, BBC Film
- Summary : A relaxing Christmas vacation turns into a terrifying fight for survival as the children begin to turn on their parents
- Tagline : You brought them into this world. Now … They will take you out.
