The Flower

"The Flower" (El Flor in Spanish) is an avant-garde Argentinian saga released in 2018 that blurs the lines between performance art and film, directed by the acclaimed Mariano Llinás. The film features a trio of acclaimed Argentinian actresses - Elisa Carricajo, Valeria Correa, and Pilar Gamboa, whose versatile performances drive the narrative, weaving together multiple stories, each in a distinct genre. The running time of approximately 14 hours over three parts, remarkable even by the standards of epic cinema, allows the director to tell the expansive human stories contained within.

The film oscillates across different genres and narrative arcs, seemingly disjointed from one another but orchestrated by Llinás' artful craftsmanship of storytelling. The narrative weaves haunting ghost tales, wild adventures, intriguing espionage, and surreal exploration of the world. Within every story, the trio of actresses emerges as new characters, testing their acting prowess as they continuously shape-shift in a series of interconnected narratives.

Elisa Carricajo, Valeria Correa, and Pilar Gamboa bring four rewarding tales to life with their compelling performances, never failing to hold the viewer's attention even though the film's daunting duration. The story of "The Flower" showcases them as a group of actresses who stage a failed play then find themselves involved in a series of wild twists and turns which include a cursed mummy, a dangerous spy mission, and an eerie tale of a girl held captive by her father in the middle of nowhere.

"The Flower" is not just about the tales it narrates but it is about storytelling itself. It challenges the conventional ideas of cinema, making it an unforgettable viewing experience filled with humour, noir, and contemplative sequences. The film is a treat for cinema lovers who have a penchant for world cinema that dares to go beyond the mainstream narrative structures.

Despite its enigmatic narrative structure, the film has an episodic rhythm that prevents it from feeling overwhelming. Each of the stories is divided into episodes and designed to stand alone, though they are all interconnected and contribute to a larger narrative. Every episode begins with a prologue and ends with a cliffhanger, keeping the viewers engaged and intrigued till the end.

Throughout "The Flower", Llinás uses interesting cinematography techniques to delve into the individual tales. The shifts in tone and genre are reflected in the cinematography, from the profundity of black-and-white imagery in melodramatic sequences to the dynamism of color in the more lively sequences. The film remarkably dilutes the boundaries between fiction and reality, relying on the versatility and strength of its leads to carry the narrative forward.

The direction and script by Llínas ensure that the genres and stories do not become a disarray of fragmented experiences. Instead, they weave a rich tapestry of varied human experiences, cementing his prowess as a storyteller who can masterfully maneuver through multiple genres, maintaining a strong undercurrent of comedy and satire throughout the film.

While the movie’s length might be its most talked-about characteristic, it does not overshadow the artistry involved in its making. "The Flower" is, in essence, a cinematic experiment and reinvention of filmic narrative that truly succeeds in eliciting admiration and reverence for this monumental piece of cinema. Llinás' unique vision results in a narrative experience unlike any other. "The Flower" embodies much of the spirit of Argentinian cinema, with its tendency to risk and experiment, resulting in a product that is impactful and leaves a lasting impression on its viewers.

In conclusion, "The Flower" is a remarkable piece of Argentinian cinema that speaks to the power of storytelling. It presents an innovative narrative structure and is driven by exceptional performances from Elisa Carricajo, Valeria Correa, and Pilar Gamboa. It is an unforgettable, challenging, and ultimately rewarding cinematic experience that pushes the boundaries of the medium and leaves audiences in awe of its unique beauty and ambition. It proves that cinema can transcend its traditional structure and present a narrative that immortalizes the concepts of time and experience.