Get Pulled Into Vicious Folklore With This Dark Period Fantasy Horror Movie That’s Waiting for You on Netflix
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International cinema is getting more and more notice from mainstream audiences, particularly in the horror genre, with movies like Exhuma and The Coffee Table disturbing viewers all over the world. While foreign horror films often present unique styles of filmmaking, there are also instances where these movies offer familiar tales simply portrayed through the lens of an excitingly different cultural perspective. Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil stands out not only as the first Basque-language film available on Netflix, but also as a compelling watch that seamlessly blends familiar folklore elements with a fresh, rarely seen cultural viewpoint. It’s also a perfect movie for those who like more than a little darkness added to their fantasy adventures, as Errementari has deals with devils, trips to hell, and judgmental townsfolk blended with humor and heart. With its rich folklore and moody atmosphere, Errementari offers an intriguing glimpse into Basque mythological traditions and a solid dark and fantastic adventure.
The Folklore of ‘Errementari’ Is Both Unique and Harsh
Errementari sets its dark fairy-tale tone right from the beginning as an unseen narrator explains that this is the story of a man so strong and clever he bested the Devil himself. The man in question is a blacksmith named Patxi (Kandido Uranga) who made a bargain with a demon named Sartael (Eneko Sagardoy) to survive the war and see his wife again. Eight years later, Patxi is a pariah in his small town but crosses paths with an orphan girl with a burned face, named Usue (Uma Bracaglia). Patxi, angry with the outcome of his deal with Sartael, has the demon locked up in his forge, but Usue is tricked into letting Sartael free. This sets in motion events that will bond the three of them together but also lead tiny Usue into making her own deal and sending her on a trip to hell, where only Patxi has the wits and strength to save her.
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Errementari wears its cultural influences on its sleeve, proudly representing the history of the Basque Country through its language and choice of folkloric inspiration. The Basque Country is officially part of Spain but is recognized as its own autonomous community, and as such it has its own particular language and culture. Errementari doesn’t just use the standard Basque language, but a specific dialect that is now virtually extinct. Even the appearance and behaviors of the devils and demons in the movie feel unique to the Basque Country. Sartael generally looks like a traditional devil with red skin and horns, but he has distinct fish-like features as well, like head fins and scaly legs. European legends sometimes say that vampires are unable to resist counting every individual bean or grain of rice spilled in front of them (it turns out that Sesame Street’s Count Von Count is deeper than just a pun!). In Errementari, this applies to general devils as well, but with chickpeas instead of rice or grain. It’s a recognizable story for anyone who grew up reading fables and fairy tales, but with a Basque Country flavor that breathes life into what could have been a too-familiar tale.
‘Errementari’ Is Dark But Not Entirely Horror
Fantasy movies can run the gamut from light-hearted romps like Labyrinth to terrifying tales like Pan’s Labyrinth. Errementari is squarely in the middle, never reaching anything nightmare-inducing but still providing a very dark atmosphere for its fairy tale-like story. Think of it like Legend – sure, Tim Curry is imposing in his Darkness get-up, but most of the movie feels more like an adventure fable for older children. Most of Errementari is set in dark, gloomy buildings illuminated only by candles or the blacksmith’s burning forge. In the rare instances where scenes take place elsewhere, there’s either a gloomy, overcast sky or they’re surrounded by the flames of hell itself. Not exactly a stroll through a magical forest.
Besides the blacksmith’s tragic backstory, there’s also Usue; she’s the plucky young heroine who touches the heart of Patxi, but she’s also a neglected orphan who’s teased not just for her appearance but for the suicide of her mother, both things over which she obviously had no control. And her part in the adventure mostly revolves around her trying to find out more about her mother’s fate, culminating in her following Patxi’s footsteps and striking a bargain with Sartael in order to go to hell to see her mother. It’s a bleak journey, but to counterbalance the doom and gloom, Usue is charming and innocent enough for it to feel a little more cheerful. And even though Sartael is a demon, he provides a good amount of comic relief to the movie as he tries to wile his way out of Patxi’s grasp. Errementari walks a fine line between a tense but ultimately touching fantasy adventure and somber horror. The result is a movie perfect for those who want something new and a little on the dark side without feeling like an outright scary movie.
Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil
- Release Date
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March 2, 2018
- Runtime
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98 minutes
- Director
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Paul Urkijo Alijo
- Writers
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Asier Guerricaechevarría, Paul Urkijo Alijo
- Producers
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Álex de la Iglesia, Carolina Bang, Ortzi Acosta, Luis de Oza, Kiko Martínez, Laurent Fumeron, Daniel Goroshko
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