Eloy de la Iglesia - El pico aka The fix (1983)

Eloy de la Iglesia is one of the most interesting spanish filmakers from the 80s, a troublesome era for Spain, with the recent death of Francisco Franco and democracy only starting to settle (what was called "the transition"). This is the political background for this highly dramatic story, possibly influenced by italian neo-realism, that portrays the life of a vasque teenager that develps a serious heroin addiction. Heroin use was a big deal during these years in Spain (specially in the northern areas, "Euskadi") a country that was basically drug-free during Franco's dictatorial regimen, and the "junkie" character permeated to pop culture and was a common sight in the poorest neighbourhoods at Spain's cities. 

The movie focuses on the most dramatic aspects of drug adicction (overdoses, petty thefts, cold turkey withdrawals...) as well as on the impact the drug habit has on the family of the main character, who is (check this) son of a "guardia civil" (a traditionally conservative police force that was quite feared during fascism years). It talks too about father-son relationships, friendship and the coming of age of an spanish teenager during dark times, with the difficult political situation as a background (ETA, Spain's terrorist group, was born during these years, and fascism was a reality only starting to wash away).

The picture is more interesting for its depiction of a particular era and social reality in Spain's 80s than for its artistic values. Similar pictures from the same director were "Navajeros" (Muggers) and "La estanquera de Vallecas" (on the assault and kidnap of a ciggar shop located in a typical, low-class Madrid neighbourhood). All this is good stuff, and Im pretty sure most of non-spaniards haven't even heard of this guy. Eloy de la Iglesia, with his treatment of social issues and street life ("cine kinkii"), class isues, drugs, homosexuality, criminal life... is the link between Passolini and Fassbinder and Pedro Almodovar, who during his early years focused too in social issues. Eloy de la Iglesia died in 2006 to kidney cancer. His last years were of creative nullity as his own heroin addiction became worse. It is terrible to notice how many of Spain's most brilliant artists that worked during the 80s had their lifes and careers destroyed because of heroin use.




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http://www.filesonic.com/file/37127657/Elpic83.part2.rar
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ENG Subtitle:
http://www.filesonic.com/file/171230871/El.Pico.Spanish.XviD.MP3.DVDRip.By.FreAk.TEAm.srt