ENTERTAINMENT

BLANCO EN BLANCO (WHITE ON WHITE)

By: Daniel P’Lopez

Blanco en Blanco is a film in Spanish by up-and-coming director Theo Court, that starts with beautiful yet dark, cold and gloomy visuals which takes this on an ominous vibe throughout the film. The setting takes place in a small Argentina town during an era when photography was a new, adventurous approach to life in the early 20th Century. Actor Alfredo Castro plays Pedro, a middle-aged photographer who is hired by a man named Mr. Porter.

Dark and forbidden photographs of a young bride without her groom, appears as if that’s what Mr. Porter demands of Pedro or perhaps it’s what Pedro wants? With few answers to questions you might have about the story and characters, Mr. Porter eventually sends Pedro a harsh warning about his recent photos. After some painful dilemma, Pedro is conflicted on what his next approach will be until he visits his client. Mr. Porter gives Pedro detailed directions on what kind of photographs he wants and the people involved, but it seems as if Pedro has a different mindset on what he thinks Mr. Porter will like. Perhaps, Pedro is taking the photos that he desires rather than what Mr. Porter will like.

Pedro, is joined by a woman who becomes his assistant and a man who only speaks English. There isn’t much story to know about these people or why they are helping Pedro. The couple are involved romantically and have a drunken scene together that starts out cute and giggly then turns harsh and sloppy. The woman is the one who finds young girls of all types, beautiful, young, and indigenous for Pedro to photograph in seductive and strange ways.

Although the scenes are stunning to watch, the drawn-out way that Pedro demonstrates how he wants these pictures, seems a little eerie and a bit chilling to the bone. The lack of backstory on these girls remains a mystery.

Although the movie has beautiful cinematography, there are many long drawn out scenes without a lot of dialog and character development. In Court’s film, you get to know these characters more in a visual and observant way. It’s up to the viewer what he’s trying to portray.

Blanco en Blanco is definitely a film that is done with a great artistic look and feel, almost as if you are looking solely into an old vintage photograph from a time long ago, a provocative lure that emanates forbidden contemplation.

Blanco en Blanco is out now in theaters and is streaming for download through many platforms.