"77 Doronship", de Pablo Agüero (Variety review)

(France-Argentina) A Charivari Films (France)/Sureno Films (Argentina) presentation. Produced by Elise Jalladeau, Pablo Aguero. Directed, written by Pablo Aguero.

With: Francisco Moron, Anne Chretien, Paula Giovanetti, Pablo Aguero.
(Spanish, French dialogue)

By ROBERT KOEHLER

A continent apart, geographically and stylistically, from his abstruse autobiographical debut, "Salamandra," Pablo Aguero's "77 Doronship" is as curious and distinct as its title. Pic is effectively a two-hander between an old Argentine boho in Paris and his grandson's pregnant wife, its only significant hiccup an awkwardly integrated set of sequences shot a decade earlier. A charming sensibility peeps through, however, lending warmth to a slight, likable work -- unusual in that it was helmed by an Argentine and is performed largely in French, which may give the film a leg up in Euro markets after nice fest run.

Anne (Anne Chretien) is pregnant in her Paris flat, but husband Jose (only heard in world-weary voiceover by Aguerohimself) has left her in the lurch. Out of nowhere enters Jose's grandfather Francisco (Francisco Moron, speaking a Spanish-thickened French with casual confidence), who's expecting to see Jose.

A befuddled Anne has no idea what to do with the indomitable spirit of this old, disarmingly frank and talkative stranger, puffing and drinking away like a guy in his 20s. He also falls asleep at a moment's notice, and what Anne can't see are Francisco's dreams, in which a young girl (Paula Giovanetti) flees from her village and ventures into the desert, where she's given refuge by a kindly Francisco.

Inevitably, Francisco's persistent ways break down Anne's resistance to letting him stay with her, and, in Aguero's fairly arch visual manner, Francisco's kindly behavior in his dreams transfers to his nurturing Anne as she approaches childbirth. In between are such choice miniature sequences as Francisco taking Anne to Pere Lachaise to visit a spot where he first met his late wife, or Francisco celebrating his 86th birthday alone by lighting 86 candles -- and nearly torching the cake in the process.

The desert dream footage (often resembling an Alejandro Jodorowski film made for kids) was shot by Aguero 10 years ago, and is accompanied by a strong, percussive score by Sergio Dawi. Though the director stages some moments in the new film to match the old material, the separate pieces never quite meld together, despite Aguero and editor Nelly Quettier's best efforts. More immediately affecting are Moron and Chretien simply and naturally interacting together, two lost souls finding an unexpected connection.

Vid lensing is lovely and suitable to this chamber film, which eschews any picture-postcard views of Paris. Odd title derives from Jose's voiceover explanation that if he chants the word "doronship" 77 times, he'll become a father and return home to Anne and child.

Camera (color, DV), Benjamin Echazarreta, Andres Fontana; editor, Nelly Quettier; music, Sergio Dawi; sound (stereo), Romain Gueltzl; re-recording mixer, Benoit Gargonne; assistant director, Celine Bansart. Reviewed at Buenos Aires Film Festival, April 3, 2009. Running time: 75 MIN.