Valparaiso

This is a visual travelogue of director Joris Iven's vacation in Valparaiso, a port city with steep hilly contours that portrays the different social classes and times with no performing actors or storyline through Chris Marker's prose. The short gives a glimpse into the daily lives of the inhabitants in the Chilean port city. As it progresses, there are so many things that are captured, like the stairs, cable cars and the kids in the vicinity which feels like an ode to the city. The best part is towards the end when the film shifts from black and white to colour. Thoroughly interesting, visually magnificent, artistic on several levels and aesthetically pleasing. This is not for the fanbase of Ute Aurand (India), Ron Fricke (Samsara, Bakara) or Godfrey Reggio's Qatsi trilogy films. Regardless, I feel this will appeal to both the arthouse and the regular audience. To go on any further seems unnecessary, if you ever come across the chance to watch this feast upon its brilliance and the brilliant ending. I would also recommend O Ataque das Araras (1975), (Passacaglia y Fuga (1975) and Travelling with Tove / Matkalla Toven kanssa (1993) by Kanerva Cederstrom.