Marimbas From Hell

Description
Reviews
Citation
Cataloging

Boldly exploring the boundaries of fiction and documentary, up-and-coming Guatemalan filmmaker Julio Hernández Cordón’s (Gasolina) original and entertaining second feature follows three unlikely characters from Guatemala City as they attempt to fuse improbable musical styles.

Don Alfonso plays the marimba for a living, but as his traditional music is seen as increasingly old-fashioned, he finds himself without a job. When his glue-sniffing godson introduces him to Blacko, an old heavy-metal legend of the Guatemalan underground, they decide to do something radical and fuse the sounds of the marimba with heavy metal.

Filled with laugh-aloud moments, Marimbas From Hell is a fresh and unique story of the fusion between tradition and modernity that conveys a moving and authentic sense of Guatemalan life.

"Marimbas from Hell is a brilliant and absurd comedy however you look at it, funny and moving at the same time, whose centerpiece is an excellent excuse to create a fun and original story... this notable film from Guatemala is one of the best Latin American comedies in a long time, a true gem that should not be missed." — Diego Lerer, Diario Clarín

"This largely comic look at one determined marimba player's struggles is a clear allegory on the dangers Guatemalan artists face when thinking outside the box." — Robert Koehler, Variety

"...a film with a tone that at times brings to mind Aki Kaurismäki and Jim Jarmusch, although, of course, with a recognizable and fascinating Central American imprint. One of the most award-winning Latin American films in recent times." — Diego Batlle, Otros Cines

"A little surprise for those who search for authentic Latin American cinema." — Isabel Croce, Diario la Prensa

"With this scenario, Marimbas from Hell presents an absurd, comic and tragically entertaining portrait of marginality.... An original, interesting and extravagantly attractive proposal." — Emiliano Basile, Escribiendo de Cine

"A reality that is difficult to explain, that of a downtrodden country that Hernández Cordón knows how to portray." —Claudio D. Minghetti, La Nación

"The film takes a subtle stab at the indigenous versus modern culture trope, defaulting as an understated, odd comedy." — VITA.MN

Citation

Select a citation style:

Main credits

Hernández Cordón, Julio (film director)
Hernández Cordón, Julio (screenwriter)
Tunche, Alfonso (actor)
González Arévalo, Roberto (actor)
Monterroso, Victor Hugo (actor)

Other credits

Cinematographer, María Secco; editor, Lenz Claure; music, Guerreros del Metal; Bacteria Sound System.

MARC Record See Worldcat record

Keywords

heavy-metal, tradition, modernity, music, marimba, comedy, spanish, spanish language, latin america, latin american cinema, latin american film, ibero america, latin, latinx, latino, latina,,music, tune, melody, hymn, harmony, popular music, rock music, latin music, latinx music, latino music, spanish music, modern music, folk music, soul music, ibero-american music, latin american music, celtic music, flamenco, spanish classical music, classical spanish music, musicals, film musicals, movie musicals, musical films, spanish pop, latin pop, latin pop music, spanish pop music,culture, identity, identity politics, culture wars, left wing, right wing, intersectionality, identity groups, civilization, literacy, humanism, cancel culture, online culture, cultural revolution, cultural diffusion, culture shock, popular culture, pop culture, material culture, cultural capital, cultural assimilation ,sociology, anthropology, psychology, sociological, sociological perspectives, conflict theory, human conflicts, sociological thinking,conflict perspective, topics in sociology, sociology topics, sociology studies, social studies, people and cultures, human relations, human relationships, cultural studies, culture studies ,LAS MARIMBAS DEL INFIERNO,guatemala,marimba,https://catalog.lafayette.edu/en/2015-2016/Catalog/Introduction/Mission-Statement,granito,documentaries in spanish,La Mujer Murciélago,Bajo la misma luna,Julio Medem,The Sound of Metal,Julio Cordón,Marimbas from Hell,ouvrir la voix,latin american films,sound of metal,Julio Hernández Cordón,guarani,heavy metal,la bella otero,guillermo del toro,raising hell,latin american film,wood,Guillermo del tori,La flaqueza del bolchevique,la estrategia del caracol,benecio del toro,comedy,La Camioneta,gueros,latin america,Del toro,spanish documentary,spanish,hell,documentary,la mitad del mundo,El Velador,guatemalan documentaries,Spanish language films,del close,julio hernandez,La casa de enfrente,Julio García Espinosa,music legends,marimbas,hispanic films,jarro bustamante,looking for fidel,gasolina,heavy metal music; "Marimbas From Hell"; Pragda Films