Feature film
The Bricklayers
Los albañiles
Jorge Fons · 1976
Synopsis
In a complex of buildings under construction in Xochimilco, don Jesús, the night watchman, is violently killed in an unfinished apartment. The police question the site workers, not shrinking from torture, and discover that many had reason to hold a grudge against him: the foreman, Chapo Álvarez, is having an affair with his wife; young Isidro blames him for what he did to his girlfriend; Federico, the owner's son, was involved with him in thefts.
Context
Based on the novel by Vicente Leñero, adapted by the writer himself with Luis Carrión and the director, the film was shot from March to May 1976 and photographed by Álex Phillips Jr. Ignacio López Tarso plays don Jesús, against type, alongside Katy Jurado, David Silva, José Alonso, Salvador Sánchez, José Carlos Ruiz and Adalberto Martínez, known as Resortes, in a dramatic role. It opens on the discovery of the body, in a long take, then goes back in time; it was released on Christmas Eve 1976.
Who it is for
Nearly two hours, in Spanish, somewhere between an investigative film and a portrait of working-class poverty; the story proceeds through flashbacks.
Prizes and reception
Silver Bear for direction at the Berlin festival in 1977; the film was not nominated for the Ariel.
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