Cinema
I Am a Criminal
Soy un delincuente
Clemente de la Cerda · 1976
Synopsis
Ramón Antonio Brizuela grows up in a poor neighbourhood of Caracas, where violence, drugs, prostitution and petty theft make up ordinary life. A neighbour draws him into stealing very early on. From childhood delinquency he moves on to gangs and armed robberies, and becomes a hard, self-assured young man, caught in a destiny from which he seems unable to escape. One day, a robbery goes wrong and one of his close companions loses his life.
Context
The film follows a testimonial narrative published under the name of its hero, which TalCual attributes to the journalist Gustavo Santander. The director shot on location, with mostly non-professional actors, including Orlando Zarramera in the lead role, alongside Chelo Rodríguez, Yanko Durán and Balmore Moreno. Photography by José Jiménez, editing by Alcides Longa, music by Miguel Ángel Fuster. Critics have read in it the legacy of Italian neorealism, and count it among the major works of the new Venezuelan cinema.
Who it is for
Nearly two hours in Spanish, with no translation, in the speech of the neighbourhoods; the violence is shown without restraint.
Prizes and reception
At the Venezuelan box office it surpassed the big American productions, including Jaws, and received the special jury prize at Locarno in 1977.