Costa's films are just sooooooo bloody dull. There are some beautiful shots of the Cape Verde landscape but how difficult is it hold a camera up for a few minutes here and there really. Long aimless depressing overdramatic and unbelievable.
It's well worth watching the special feature interview with Pedro Costa that is included on this disc.
There is a bilious review here by JS, who appears to have tried Costa's films before. I've no idea why JS would bother to write a review or even watch Casa de Lava in the first place. You don't watch a Costa film for Hollywood glam and car chases and easy cheesey movie-making.
It is a real pleasure to absorb Costa's slow-paced, enigmatic approach to story-telling. This is brave, unapologetically artistic film-making.
The Cabo Verde landscapes and village scenes are mesmerising, but it is the deeper spirit of mystery and strangeness that lingers in the viewer's mind longest.
All too often we impose our own expectations on art. Costa's films defy convention and it is deeply heartening to know that there are directors out there who are brave enough to pursue their own unique vision.