Ten Reasons Why the New Dominican Film “Dólares de Arena” Gave Me Life
And just droppin' it on these bitches. No explanation.
You see 'cause I'm not even going to do the whole, "Explanation Post", the whole, "Guys! I've been gone for a year and this is what happened!"
No. I just. I cannot right now.
Suffice to say, a lot has happened this year. To all of my readers out there, you know, my Mom and my friend Jenny, I want to apologize for being gone for so long!
But. I'm back.
So. Yay.
And last night, I went to the movies.
WATCH TRAILER FIRST:
This beautiful film tells the story of a truly unbalanced and tragically flawed lesbian relationship between a European woman probably in her early 70s, Anne, and a young Dominican woman in her 20s, Noeli. The film does not specifically touch on the topic of prostitution in the Dominican Republic. Most of us know that prostitution has become a side-effect to popular tourism on the island. This film really gives us a glimpse into the world of a very common but very unique "type" of prostitution that goes on here in the Dominican Republic -- one that uses "romance" as a way to exploit and deceive.
You see, in the Dominican Republic, men that seduce American women with their sex appeal, to eventually obtain material items, a good meal or money (sometimes visas), play it off as if they are truly in love with these women they seduce. These men are nicknamed "sanky pankys". I wrote about this in an old post.
Well, in turn, many naive foreigners fall for it believing they finally got the model-esque exotic boyfriend they have always dreamed of having. This is a generalization, but for those of us who live in the Dominican Republic -- we see this is very common. Well, this is the case for women as well, however not named sanky-pankys -- they are just considered prostitutes. Which, at the end of the day, both are exchanging their beauty/youth/bodies for money and comforts.
It's unique here in the sense that it's not about "quick fixes" or no-fuss "in the bed, pay and get out". Foreigners on the island want to take their "new young girlfriends" or "boyfriends" on dates, play in the water -- they want "LOVE". And if their new lover asks them for money, they understand that this just might be part of the deal. This scene many of us see played out here on the tourist streets of El Conde or on tourist beach sides like Cabarete, or in this case, Las Terrenas -- we are never able to understand the inner-workings of, until now, with this film, "Dólares de Arena" (Sand Dollars).
Written and directed by Laura Amelia Guzman, Israel Cardenas - "Dólares de Arena" in so many ways, has been the artistic Dominican film we have all been waiting for.
It’s not a perfect film. To some it might feel too slow — perhaps the subtleties can make the audience believe the characters are underdeveloped. But this is not true -- the actress who plays Noeli, Yanet Mojica gives an honest performance and Geraldine Chaplin who plays Anne, was just sooooo good!
It’s visually beautiful, and subtly moving in a way I haven’t seen yet in a Dominican film (except the documentary "Blanco"- go see that!). It told an honest story, it took risks (using non-actors and a storyline that most in the Dominican Ministry for Tourism would like to pretend isn’t happening) — and it discusses a lesbian “relationship” which is also a topic that hasn’t been touched on in Dominican film as of yet. It takes so many risks that can pave the way for other Dominican writers (like myself) to believe in their small arthouse film -- who want to tell a story that doesn't paint anyone in a great light. A story that tells the truth.
The Dominican film industry has been booming in the past couple of years with great strides in comedy ("Quién Manda") and in action films, ("Codigo Paz"). I believe that "Dólares de Arena" is the strongest of the character-driven foreign indie film - and I am excited to see more great Dominican films grow from this genre.
Dammit this film is good. Here are 10 Random Reasons Why:
1.) The lead has natural hair and is an honest portrayal of a beautiful Dominican woman.
In a Afro Caribbean country like the Dominican Republic, it's surprising how many white straight-haired leads we tend to see in mainstream media and film. There's nothing wrong with straight hair, or white skin of course -- but there isn't enough variety yet on TV or film, and so it's problematic. More than 90% of the Dominican population is of African descent. So, let's keep it real, please.
2.) Her boyfriend has acne.
Hahah I know this is ridiculous, I just feel like this small detail added to the very realistic nature of this film.
3.) It’s shot in the Samaná Province of the Dominican Republic.
Nuf said.
4.) Geraldine Chaplin is awesome and wears some cute beach outfits. I love how she has two beauty marks under each eyes, like clown’s makeup. The fact that her father was the genius of clowns — just makes this perfect.
5.) Geraldine’s white sequined blazer at the end of the movie - gives me life. Like I just cannot. I have no pictures. You just have to see the movie. The end scenes are breath-taking.
6.) The movie discusses prostitution and the dangers of desire for material things.
As I said above, this is a topic that hasn't been grappled with in film here -- but it is something really happening here in DR -- it was fascinating to get inside and see what goes on in this very odd and what seems like, very superficial exchange.
7.) The symbolism of the motorcycles. Noeli drives Anne on her motorcylce but without feeling or decipherable emotion on her face. When Noeli drives with her boyfriend (who she truly loves), she lets him drive, and she holds him tightly and with affection. When she rides alone - no good comes of it. In the end she finally rides her boyfriend — maybe finally making a decision for herself. Stretch?
8.) The Bachata! Even though it is like the same song throughout the movie — you never get tired of hearing it.
9.) The Dembow dancing scenes. Because, living.
The Dembow scenes in the film, where Noeli is dancing, are both entertaining and symbolic to the nature of Noeli always trying to please everyone. Brilliant.
10.)The movie is a rough art house film that can finally pave the way for Dominican filmmakers who do not want to do some BIG LOUD ACTION-PACKED, KNEE-SLAPPING LAUGHS film — but rather, just tell a story in a subtle and delicate way.
That's all for now.
Un Abrazo.
