Last week, I shared with you three films by three female directors from different countries, which I was able to discover thanks to FEMCINE in Santiago, Chile, last May. However, the Festival screened many more stories, but due to scheduling issues, I wasn't able to attend them all. One of the films I most wanted to see, but couldn't attend at the time, was 78 Days by Serbian director Emilija Gašić. So, when I found out that, thanks to the Valdivia International Film Festival, that same film would be screened last Friday in the cozy Sala K of the Universidad Mayor, I didn't hesitate for a moment to attend.

La semana pasada les compartí tres películas de tres directoras mujeres, provenientes de diferentes países, que pude conocer gracias al FEMCINE en Santiago de Chile el pasado mes de mayo. Sin embargo, el Festival proyectó muchas más historias, sólo que por cuestiones de agenda no pude acudir a todas y una de las películas que más quería ver y a la que no pude acudir entonces fue 78 Days de la serbia Emilija Gašić. Por eso, cuando me enteré que gracias al Festival Internacional de Cine de Valdivia esa misma cinta sería proyectada el pasado viernes en la acogedora Sala K de la Universidad Mayor, no dudé un instante en acudir.

Poster

78 Days is a Serbian film written and directed by the aforementioned Emilija Gašić. It was shot on Super 8, giving the feel of a real home video. In it, we follow the life of a family during the NATO bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999. The Balkans have historically been a conflict-ridden territory. Countries such as Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and the former Yugoslavia have been involved in various armed conflicts, of which the Kosovo War is one of the most memorable. There is a wealth of literature and film material that reviews the more warlike aspects of the conflict, but 78 Days offers another perspective on the same situation. When the father of the family is called up, Sonja (17), Dragana (15) and Tijana, little Tica (7), take a Super 8 camera and start recording different moments to show their father when he returns from the war. Sometimes they film nature, household objects, but most of the recordings show the everyday life of a home with a mother and three daughters. Arguments, meals, moments of laughter, jokes that sisters play on each other, bike rides; and then, in the middle of domestic and routine scenes, planes appear in the sky, we hear the sirens of the alarms, we see and hear the explosions of the bombs dropped by NATO getting closer and closer. Although they are inside their own home, war's not unfamiliar; despite not showing armies, soldiers shooting or tanks, 78 Days is one of the most real and emotional portraits I have seen of any war.

78 dana (78 Days) es una película serbia escrita y dirigida por la ya mencionada Emilija Gašić. Está filmada en Super 8, lo que brinda la sensación de ser un video casero real. En él seguimos la vida de una familia durante el bombardeo de la OTAN a Serbia en la primavera de 1999. Los Balcanes ha sido un territorio históricamente conflictivo. Países como Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, la desaparecida Yugoslavia, se han visto envueltos en diversos conflictos bélicos de entre los cuales la guerra de Kosovo es uno de los más recordados. Hay mucha literatura y material cinematográfico para repasar los aspectos más bélicos del conflicto, pero 78 Days brinda otra perspectiva de la misma situación. Cuando el padre de la familia es llamado a filas, Sonja (17), Dragana (15) y Tijana, la pequeña Tica (7), toman una cámara Super 8 y comienzan a grabar diferentes momentos para mostrárselos a su padre cuando vuelva de la guerra. A veces filman la naturaleza, objetos del hogar, pero la mayor parte de las grabaciones muestran la cotidianidad de un hogar con una madre y tres hijas. Discusiones, comidas, momentos de risas, bromas que se juegan unas hermanas a otras, paseos en bicicleta; y entonces, en medio de escenas caseras y rutinarias, aparecen los aviones en el cielo, escuchamos las sirenas de las alarmas, vemos y escuchamos las explosiones de las bombas arrojadas por la OTAN cada vez más cerca. Aunque se encuentren dentro de su propio hogar, la guerra no es un tema ajeno; en ese sentido, a pesar de no mostrar ejércitos, soldados disparando ni tanques, 78 Days es uno de los retratos más reales y emotivos que he podido ver de cualquier guerra.

Is the film a documentary? In a way, it is, but in another way, it isn't. Let me explain: during 2020, while we were all isolated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gašić was reviewing a large number of videotapes recorded at his childhood home. She had digitized them while at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade and had come away with the feeling that the tapes were very cinematic, that there was a story to be told. However, she didn't want to make something completely autobiographical, so she spent some time thinking about how to use this extensive material to create a story.

¿Es la película un documental? En cierta forma lo es, pero en otro sentido no. Les explico: durante el 2020, mientras todos estábamos aislados por la pandemia del CoVid-19, Gašić estuvo revisando una gran cantidad de cintas de video grabadas en su hogar durante la infancia. Las había digitalizado mientras estuvo en la Academia de Artes de Belgrado y le había quedado la sensación de que las cintas eran muy cinematográficas, de que había una historia allí que contar. Sin embargo, no quería hacer algo completamente autobiográfico, así que estuvo un rato pensando en cómo aprovechar ese extenso material para crear una historia.

The daughters | Las hijas

The first thing the director did was conduct an anonymous online survey to find out how people remembered that era. With more than two hundred testimonies that closely matched their memories, Gašić wrote a script that included scenes from her family tapes, adding others that also showed the perspective of other people, especially from another generation. At the time of the bombing, Gašić was seven years old, like Tica, and also had two older sisters, so there's a strong autobiographical tone in several of the scenes. After finalizing the story, the director spent a year casting. She wanted to find actresses for the girls who sounded like sisters, who had a certain accent from the region she was from, and she took the time to do tests, auditions, and callbacks until she found the newcomers Milica Gicić, Tamara Gajović, and Viktorija Vasiljević. When filming with the girls, they also contributed their own experiences so that the relationship between the sisters and their different personalities would work on screen. After filming the script, they ended up with a four-hour feature film that they edited over nine months until they arrived at the final version of just 85 minutes. You could say that 78 Days is the dramatization of a documentary, which contains a high percentage of truth and fidelity to the events that occurred, but which shows them through a representation.

Poster

Lo primero que hizo la directora fue una encuesta anónima en internet para saber cómo recordaba la gente esa época. Con más de doscientos testimonios que coincidían bastante con sus recuerdos, Gašić escribió un guion en el que incluyó escenas recuperadas de sus cintas familiares, agregando otras que mostraran también la perspectiva de otras personas y sobre todo de otra generación. Para el momento del bombardeo, Gašić tenía siete años, igual que Tica, y también tenía dos hermanas mayores, así que hay una gran carga autobiográfica en varias de las escenas. Luego de tener la historia, la directora pasó un año haciendo casting. Quería encontrar - para las niñas - actrices que parecieran hermanas, que tuvieran cierto acento de la región de la que ella era y se tomó el tiempo de hacer pruebas, audiciones y callbacks hasta dar con las debutantes Milica Gicić, Tamara Gajović y Viktorija Vasiljević. Al filmar con las niñas, estas también aportaron sus propias experiencias para que la relación entre las hermanas y sus diferentes personalidades funcionaran en la pantalla y después de filmar el guion obtuvieron un largometraje de cuatro horas que fueron editando a lo largo de nueve meses hasta dar con la versión final de apenas 85 minutos. Podría decirse entonces que 78 Days es la dramatización de un documental, que contiene un gran porcentaje de veracidad y fidelidad a los hechos ocurridos, pero que los muestra a través de una representación.

However, the film's charm lies precisely in the fact that it doesn't feel like a movie. It feels like a real home video. The actresses don't seem to be acting; we genuinely believe they're sisters, that this family is real, that all of this happened in 1999, and that what we're seeing is a kind of time capsule. The dialogue, the family dynamics, the different perspectives of the sisters, who for some scenes took the camera and filmed themselves, and the fact that the director's grandparents' house was used as a setting—all of this helps lend credibility to a story that is simultaneously funny and painful, emotional and raw, brave and necessary.

Sin embargo el encanto de la película se encuentra precisamente en el hecho de que no parece una película. Se siente como un video casero real. Las actrices no parecen estar actuando, genuinamente creemos que son hermanas, que esa familia es real, que todo eso ocurrió en 1999 y que lo que estamos viendo es una especie de cápsula del tiempo. Los diálogos, la dinámica familiar, las diferentes perspectivas de las hermanas que para algunas escenas tomaron la cámara y filmaron ellas mismas, haber ocupado como escenario la casa de los abuelos de la directora, todo eso ayuda a brindar verosimilitud a una historia que resulta a la vez divertida y dolorosa, emotiva y cruda, valiente y necesaria.

Emilija Gašić

War is cruel and horrible. On the front lines, men kill and die for ideologies, interests, or senseless reasons. But war also has another side. It's children without school running through the grass, playing at home, walking by a river, watching television, the absence of parents, sexual awakening, their first kisses... It may seem contradictory, but the young people who responded to the director's survey associated that period with mostly positive memories because life always finds a way to go on despite everything. It's tragic to see the planes fly over the city and feel the explosions in the distance, but the heart of 78 Days is precisely in Sonja's dreams, Dragana's character, Tica's tenderness and tantrums, the mother's dedication, the father's love, the walks with the neighbors, the games, the fights. More than a film or a documentary, 78 Days is a journey through time that connects us with our lost childhood and reminds us how much memory values ​​the small pleasures of life, even in the most difficult circumstances. I recently read Jasmina Tesanovic's The Diary of a Political Idiot, set in the same era, but Jasmina is an adult woman and mother who observes the war from her fearful perspective, worried about her daughter and the future of her country and humanity. In contrast, Emilija Gašić's 78 Days focuses on childhood and, in some ways, despite the horror, on hope: life goes on. Have any of you seen this film? I'll read you in the comments.

Scene from the movie | Escena de la película

La guerra es cruel y horrible. En el frente, los hombres se matan y mueren por ideologías, intereses o sinsentidos. Pero la guerra también tiene otro lado. Son los niños sin clases corriendo por el pasto, jugando en casa, paseando por un río, viendo televisión, la ausencia de los padres, el despertar sexual, sus primeros besos... puede parecer contradictorio, pero los jóvenes que respondieron a la encuesta de la directora asociaban ese período a recuerdos mayormente positivos porque la vida siempre encuentra la forma de continuar a pesar de todo. Es trágico ver los aviones sobrevolar la ciudad y sentir las explosiones a lo lejos, pero el corazón de 78 Days está precisamente en los sueños de Sonja, el carácter de Dragana, la ternura y rabietas de Tica, la dedicación de la madre, el amor del padre, los paseos con los vecinos, los juegos, las peleas. Más que una película o un documental, 78 Days es un viaje en el tiempo que nos conecta con nuestra infancia perdida y nos recuerda lo mucho que la memoria valora los pequeños placeres de al vida, aún en las circunstancias más difíciles. Hace poco leí El diario de Jasmina de Jasmina Tesanovic, ambientado en la misma época, pero Jasmina es una mujer adulta y madre que observa la guerra desde su perspectiva temerosa, preocupada por su hija y por el futuro de su país y la humanidad; en cambio, en 78 Days, Emilija Gašić pone el foco en la infancia y de alguna manera y a pesar del horror, en la esperanza: la vida sigue, ¿alguno de ustedes ha visto esta película? Los leo en los comentarios.

Other posts that may interest you | Otros posts que pueden interesarte:

Dancer in the Dark: overrated or underrated? |

3 x 1: female directors you don't know |

Greetings, dear movie lovers! Today I bring you a new review of a medical drama TV show that I'm sure you'll enjoy.

I don't think I've been so hooked on a show since Dr. House as I was with The Pitt. And although there are many medical drama shows in the entertainment world, none had managed to captivate me like the one I mentioned. I know that many will name countless others, saying that this one is better than that one, or that they prefer to watch the drama of Grey's Anatomy. All of that is valid, but I'm here specifically to name the reasons why I loved The Pitt.

The Pitt is a television series that chronicles the details of the emergency room at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a portrait of everything that healthcare workers (and patients) experience in U.S. hospitals. This ward is led by Dr. Robby, who is in charge of a legion of doctors and interns who will carry out their work during a 12-hour shift.

What I liked most about this series is that each episode tells the story of what happens in one hour of the shift; as each episode progresses, each hour progresses. So, the entire season tells the story of what happened in a single shift. I find this quite novel, and it gives a new approach to a genre that could be trite. There is no romance, it doesn't exist, perhaps a hint of some uncertain flirting between one doctor and another, but that's not what the series is about. What it is about is medicine, treatments, there is a lot of blood and shocking images. I loved this, it's just what I wanted to see.

Of course, the interpersonal relationships between the characters are important, as they are a group of workers who live together in the same work environment, where there will be friction and compliments.

There are beloved characters, and others, naturally, who are hated. But they are the kind of characters we love to hate. I can tell you that the one I definitely loved was Dr. Robby, played by Noah Wyle, whom some of you will recognize because he starred in another well-known medical drama: E.R. For a moment, I thought it was a spin-off, but it turned out to be a completely different story.

Something important to note is the themes the show touches on, which is, in general, the reason I felt hooked, and that is the medical cases combined with the patients' experiences. The reasons why they come to the emergency room and everything behind it. In addition, there are the long lines in the waiting room, which is surely something we've all experienced at some point, where patients are treated according to the severity of their emergency and not on a first-come, first-served basis.

One more thing that stood out this season is what doctors have to go through during a shooting (without getting into a debate about why they do it, because I could spoil it), and everything that healthcare workers have to go through to treat the dozens of people who arrive at the emergency room to deal with a catastrophe of this magnitude. A gem.

If you like the genre, you'll enjoy it. You can watch the first season on HBO MAX. And we already have a trailer for the second season. It's also worth mentioning that it already has twelve nominations for the Emmys, which will be held this Sunday, September 14, but they've already won two for Best Guest Actor and Best Casting (a new category). I'm honestly surprised, because based on the strong competition this year, I didn't see them winning anything.

I hope you liked the review, and I invite you again to go see it. You won't regret it. Here's the trailer to convince you.

• Todos los diseños son realizados en Canva Pro.
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I had seen Never Have I Ever quite some time ago, but during the summer I was looking for something light and fun... and I remembered the series. I started it again, this time with my cousin and my sister, and the three of us got caught up in Devi's crazy adventures.

Because yes, it can be sold as a teen romcom, and although romance is present, what really sustains it is the humor. It's a chaotic whirlwind that mixes entanglements, disasters, and laughter in every episode🫢

We were hooked from the first episode and ended up binge-watching the whole series. “Never Have I Ever” is the perfect show to watch after a bad day: it makes you laugh, distracts you, and, above all, reminds you that if you think your life is a mess, Devi's is always worse😇

Había visto Yo nunca hace bastante tiempo, pero en vacaciones buscaba algo ligero y divertido… y recordé la serie. La empecé de nuevo, esta vez con mi prima y mi hermana, y las tres quedamos atrapadas en las locuras de Devi✨

Porque sí, puede venderse como una romcom adolescente, y aunque el romance está presente, lo que realmente la sostiene es el humor. Es un torbellino caótico que mezcla enredos, desastres y carcajadas en cada capítulo🫢

Nos enganchó desde el primer episodio y terminamos haciendo maratón. Y es que "Yo nunca" es esa clase de serie perfecta para después de un mal día: te hace reír, te distrae y, sobre todo, te recuerda que, si crees que tu vida es un desastre, Devi siempre estará peor😇

What is the story about?✨

“Never Have I Ever” follows the life of Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian-American teenager dealing with high school, friendships, grief, and, of course, romantic entanglements. All while trying to find her place in the world, being as brilliant as she is chaotic💥

If I had to describe Never Have I Ever in three words, they would be: chaos, entertainment, and comedy. The story flows very easily; it doesn't feel heavy or boring, especially since the episodes are short (between 25 and 30 minutes). That makes it ideal for a light marathon, watching a couple of episodes before bed and ending the day with fresh laughter.

¿De qué va la historia?✨

"Yo Nunca" sigue la vida de Devi Vishwakumar, una adolescente india-estadounidense que lidia con la secundaria, las amistades, el duelo y, por supuesto, los enredos románticos. Todo mientras intenta encontrar su lugar en el mundo, siendo tan brillante como caótica💥

Si tuviera que describir Yo Nunca en tres palabras serían: caos, entretenimiento y comedia. La historia fluye con mucha facilidad, no se siente pesada ni aburrida, sobre todo porque los capítulos son cortos (entre 25 y 30 minutos). Eso la hace ideal para un maratón ligero, ver un par de episodios antes de dormir y cerrar el día con risas frescas.

La narrativa mezcla comedia ligera con dramas adolescentes —muchos de ellos jóvenes ahogándose en un vaso de agua— pero lo hace de una forma equilibrada. Hay momentos de humor absurdo, sí, pero también escenas que tocan fibras más emocionales y que me hicieron sentir tristeza por los personajes. Así que no es tan vacía como podría parecer a primera vista. Aunque en varios puntos es predecible hacia dónde va la trama, el desarrollo es entretenido y logra mantener la atención de principio a fin.

A little bit about the characters☀️

Devi

Devi is the heart and chaos of the series. Yes, she can be unbearable at times with how self-centered and selfish she can be, but that imperfection makes her real. The interesting thing about her is that when life takes its toll, she knows how to recognize her mistakes, apologize, and try to make amends. She makes a lot of mistakes and repeats patterns, but she also learns in the process. She's the kind of character who makes you want to yell at the screen one minute and hug her the next and say: “Take it easy, girl.” The most moving thing is how she deals with the grief of her father's death: that wound is the broken compass from which the whole story starts. She's not the “perfect” protagonist, and seeing her try to find herself in the midst of pain and adolescence is what makes you empathize with her, despite her thousand red flags.

Eleanor and Fabiola

Devi's best friends, who are key players in the story. Both provide a much-needed balance to Devi's chaos. Eleanor, with her dramatic and theatrical streak, always brings an exaggerated air that adds comedy, but she also shows vulnerability and a desire to be accepted. Fabiola, on the other hand, is the grounding force: intelligent, loyal, and with a beautiful arc of self-discovery. Although Devi often lets them down (and I was very annoyed by this), they are still there for her, and their presence not only enriches the plot, but also highlights the importance of friendship amid the whirlwind of adolescence.

Un poco sobre los personajes☀️

Devi

Devi es el corazón y el caos de la serie. Sí, a veces resulta insufrible con lo egocéntrica y egoísta que puede ser, pero esa imperfección la hace real. Lo interesante de ella es que, cuando la vida le pasa factura, sabe reconocer sus errores, pedir disculpas e intentar enmendarlos. Se equivoca mucho, repite patrones, pero también va aprendiendo en el proceso. Es ese tipo de personaje que te hace gritarle a la pantalla y al minuto siguiente querer abrazarla y decirle: “descansa, niña”. Lo más conmovedor es cómo lidia con el duelo por la muerte de su padre: esa herida es la brújula rota desde la que parte toda la historia, no es la protagonista "perfecta" y verla tratando de encontrarse en medio del dolor y la adolescencia es lo que hace que empatices con ella, a pesar de sus mil red flags.

Eleanor y Fabiola

Las mejores amigas de Devi, quienes son piezas clave en la historia. Ambas aportan un balance muy necesario frente al caos de Devi. Eleanor, con su vena dramática y teatral, siempre da un aire exagerado que aporta comedia, pero también muestra vulnerabilidad y el deseo de ser aceptada. Fabiola, por su parte, es el cable a tierra: inteligente, leal y con un arco muy bonito de autodescubrimiento. Aunque muchas veces Devi les falla (y me molesté mucho), ellas siguen allí, y su presencia no solo enriquece la trama, sino que también resalta lo importante que es la amistad en medio del torbellino adolescente.

Ben and Paxton

Devi's love interests aren't just a classic “love triangle”: each one brings something different to the table. With Ben, the dynamic is that of intimate enemies, full of fights, sarcasm, and competition that ends up becoming one of the most entertaining relationships in the series. With Paxton, things seem superficial and even awkward at first—Devi's obsession and his constant sexualization are a bit cringe-worthy—but little by little, the character proves that he is much more than just the popular, attractive guy. He is a good guy, noble and nuanced, which makes him likable. In the end, beyond being “TeamBen” or “TeamPaxton,” what's interesting is seeing how each one reflects different facets of Devi and challenges her to grow.

My favorite characters

I also have to mention my favorite characters: Devi's mother, Nalini, and her cousin Kamala. I found them both charming: genuine, funny, and with a beautiful balance between showing their culture and religion, but also adapting to American life. Every time they appeared on screen, I felt that the series gained a fantastic and authentic touch. I loved all their scenes. And I can't leave out Devi's psychologist, who was an incredible character. I found her moments in the office not only funny, but also very real and well done. I really enjoyed how they portrayed the therapeutic process, because they didn't do it with clichés, but with respect and authenticity.

Ben y Paxton

Los grandes intereses amorosos de Devi no son solo un “triángulo romántico” clásico: cada uno aporta algo distinto. Con Ben, la dinámica es de enemigos íntimos, llena de peleas, sarcasmos y competencias que terminan por convertirse en una de las relaciones más entretenidas de la serie. Con Paxton, al inicio la cosa parece superficial y hasta incómoda —la obsesión de Devi y la constante sexualización de él son un poco cringe—, pero poco a poco el personaje demuestra que es mucho más que el chico popular y atractivo. Es un buen tipo, noble y con matices, lo que lo hace caer bien. Al final, más allá de ser “TeamBen” o “TeamPaxton”, lo interesante es ver cómo cada uno refleja diferentes facetas de Devi y la reta a crecer.

Mis personajes favoritos

También tengo que hablar de mis personajes favoritos: la mamá de Devi, Nalini, y su prima Kamala. Ambas me parecieron un encanto: genuinas, divertidas y con un balance muy bonito entre mostrar su cultura y religión, pero también adaptarse a la vida norteamericana. Cada vez que aparecían en pantalla sentía que la serie ganaba un toque fantástico y auténtico. Amé todas sus escenas. Y no puedo dejar por fuera a la psicóloga de Devi, que fue un personaje increíble. Sus momentos en consulta no solo me parecieron divertidos, sino también muy reales y bien trabajados. Disfruté muchísimo cómo representaron el proceso terapéutico, porque no lo hicieron con clichés, sino con respeto y autenticidad.

What made me stay💫

What made me stay with “Never Have I Ever” was, first of all, how chaotic everything was. I found Devi's superficial and simplistic view of the world hilarious, and I couldn't help but think that at her age I probably saw things the same way, so in a way it felt familiar to me. I was also drawn in by the nods to Indian culture, because they gave it a different and fresh touch, along with the psychological backdrop of Devi's grief, which became one of the most interesting aspects of the series. I enjoyed every nuance: from the funny and exaggerated to the emotional and reflective. That mix of humor, teen drama, and moments of growth was enough to keep me hooked; and even though I didn't directly identify with the characters, I enjoyed the essence of each one.

Lo que me hizo quedarme💫

Lo que me hizo quedarme con "Yo nunca" fue, en primer lugar, lo caótico que resultaba todo. Me daba mucha risa lo superficial y simplista que Devi veía el mundo, y no pude evitar pensar que a su edad yo probablemente veía las cosas igual, así que en cierta forma me resultó familiar. También me atraparon los guiños a la cultura india, porque le daban un toque diferente y fresco, junto con el trasfondo psicológico del duelo de Devi, que se convirtió en uno de los aspectos más interesantes de la serie. Disfruté cada matiz: desde lo divertido y exagerado, hasta lo emotivo y reflexivo. Esa mezcla de humor, drama adolescente y momentos de crecimiento fue suficiente para mantenerme enganchada; y, aunque no me identificara directamente con los personajes, disfruté de la esencia de cada uno.

In conclusion, “Never Have I Ever” is one of those series that, yes, sometimes falls into the teen cliché with situations so exaggerated that they seem straight out of fan fiction—typical of Netflix's youth productions—but without being as heavy or repetitive as others of the same style. It's a light comedy ideal for those who enjoy teen dramas with a fresh, cultural, and emotional touch, without taking themselves too seriously. Perfect for binge-watching on a relaxed afternoon or watching before bed to have a good laugh. In the end, between laughter, chaos, and a little drama, the series delivers what it promises: entertainment and leaving you wanting more✨

En conclusión, "Yo Nunca" es una de esas series que, sí, a veces cae en el cliché adolescente con situaciones tan exageradas que parecen sacadas de un fanfic -lo típico de las producciones juveniles de Netflix-, pero sin llegar a ser tan pesada o repetitiva como otras del mismo estilo. Es una comedia ligera ideal para quienes disfrutan de dramas adolescentes con un toque fresco, cultural y emocional, sin tomárselo demasiado en serio. Perfecta para maratonear en una tarde relajada o ver antes de dormir para reírte un rato. Al final, entre risas, caos y un poco de drama, la serie logra lo que promete: entretener y dejarte con ganas de un capítulo más✨

Hi Movie lovers... What movie do you watch nowadays?

As I mentioned before, I work in a news agency that focuses on Bollywood, so I'm more familiar with Indian film news than any other country, even Bollywood. That's why, when a new film is released, my madam boss asks me to watch that latest movie. After the hype surrounding the legendary Aamir Khan film, I haven't seen any other films. Even when the film I'm reviewing came out, I lost interest in watching it because I thought the story would be similar to previous films, a sad story that would probably make my day gloomy after watching it. So I didn't watch it until the second week.

That movie was SAIYAARA…

Yes, this film managed to survive in Indonesian cinemas for two weeks—at the time of writing this review, it had already completed its fifth week in theaters, which is rare for Indonesian cinemas when it comes to Indian films. Films that survive that long are almost always Hollywood films. This SAIYAARA did it, though…

Let's talk about the movie…

SAIYAARA—A Wanderer Star

Saiyaara means A wanderer star or the name of that star was Orion. That's the title of the original Aashiqui 3. Yes, the director, Mohit Suri, created this story for the third installment of the Aashiqui film series, which shares the same premise—about a star. However, due to conflicts with the producer and the previous production house—if I'm not mistaken, it was T-Series—the story Mohit Suri created failed to become the third film in the Aashiqui series. Hmmm… it wasn't a major conflict, just a difference in perception. Ultimately, Mohit developed the story without knowing when it would reach audiences. Luckily, one of India's biggest production houses—Yash Raj Films—finally took over his story, releasing it under the title SAIYAARA, and I finally learned why the ending of this film was so different from Aashiqui 2.

Hmmm… Speaking of Mohit Suri's films, he's known for never letting his characters have a happy ending. Take Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain, Malang, and Ek Villain Returns—these are films I've seen, and they don't have happy endings. They're films of misfortune for their characters. But in this film, he seems to grant his fans a wish he's never given them in his previous films: a happy ending. Perhaps because this film is sponsored by YRF, a production house known for romantic films and films with happy endings, Mohit could have drowned out his ideology this time, and it turned out to be worth it.

SAIYAARA is a blockbuster film… Congratulations to all team…

...and the fun fact is… This film became the highest grossing actor debut film after 25 years ago, it was experienced by the film Kaho Na Pyaar Hai...

Initially, I didn't want to watch this film because it stars two new stars. The film stars a nepo kid named Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Because they were new and considering the debuts of previous star kids, all of which were disappointing in terms of film selection and acting, I wasn't excited for Ahaan Panday. Furthermore, his cousin, Ananya Panday, also didn't deliver a decent performance in her debut, so I never wanted to see this film in theaters. I thought I'll watch it when it's released on OTT.

But, it turned out… Saiyaara had a huge wave. In India, everyone was suddenly hit by #Saiyaarafever, and everyone on social media kept praising the performances of the two new stars, especially Ahaan Panday. That made me very, very curious, and I ended up watching the film. I asked my madam boss to pay for the ticket while I paid for the popcorn… LOL…

After watching it, I also got #SaiyaaraFever and I also felt like other girls when I wanted Krish Kapoor, because he is not real. Saiyaara is the second movie that managed to make me stunned and want the main star after the movie TJMM two years ago. I really got Saiyaara Fever… look… I forgot to tell you how the story of Saiyaara is, I forgot to tell you what Krish Kapoor was like there and what he did until we—women wanted the real Krish Kapoor. Because movie reviews are very vulnerable to plagiarism and AI detectors, I decided not to tell the storyline. But if you are curious, please wait for this movie on Netflix next September 12th. I hope you don't get #Saiyaarafever because Krish Kapoor is mine. LOL

Thanks for read my sincere review. See you in next review.

_{disclaimer: I take a big risk to write this review because some words may be similar with others content which was talking about the same movie, but I sincerely write this review just by my randomly thought. All similar words is form of unintentional. I just want to share and show off the movie that I loved. If you think I don't deserve any rewards, please avoid and don't vote my post. People can change and learn the mistake, so do I.}

Hey there, movie and series lovers! I wanted to tell you that I recently finished binging all the seasons of the series Outlander, and I mean "binging without wanting to" because my wife is a huge fan and she's always watching and re-watching her favorite episodes. That's how, little by little, I got into it and ended up watching the whole thing with her. At first, I was reluctant. It just seemed like another romantic story, but once I saw that it tackles historical events, I got really interested.

Outlander ¿Amor Eterno o Drama Infinito? Lo Bueno, lo Malo y lo Adictivo de la Serie

¡Hola, amantes del cine y las series! Quiero contarles que recientemente termine de ver sin querer, todas las temporadas de la serie Outlander, digo sin querer porque mi esposa es súper fanática y siempre la ve y repite sus episodios favoritos, fue así que en ocasiones entrando con ella poco a poco ví toda la serie. Al principio me negaba a verla, me parecía una historia romántica más, pero al notar que aborda hechos históricos, me causo mucho interés.

The premise is perfect for anyone who loves romance amidst conflict. It's about a woman named Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a WWII nurse, who is transported through time from 1945 to Scotland in 1743. This is the era of the Jacobite uprisings against the British Crown, and in the middle of it all, she meets and falls in love with Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). Together, they develop a passionate mix of drama, history, fantasy, and time travel.

La premisa es ideal para los amantes del romance en medio de conflictos, se trata de una mujer llama Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) enfermera de la segunda guerra mundial, que es transportada en el tiempo desde 1945 a Escocia en 1743. Es la época en que los jacobitas se levantan contra la corona británica, en medio de estos hechos conoce y se enamora de Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) dónde juntos desarrollan una mezcla de apasionante drama con historia, fantasía y viajes en el tiempo.

After watching all the seasons, I finally understood why this show has so many dedicated fans who have stuck with it for so long. Without a doubt, it's that epic and timeless love story, with incredible chemistry between the two main actors. They overcome conflict after conflict over a very long time, and their love remains intact—it's an idealization of love that makes more than a few people aspire for the same. On top of that, the plot develops at a leisurely pace, allowing the conflicts and relationships to marinate properly, which makes the resolutions feel really satisfying.

Tras ver todas sus temporadas, entendí porque esta serie tiene tantos adeptos que la acompañan desde hace tanto tiempo. Sin duda es esa época y atemporal historia de amor, con una química increíble entre los protagonistas, superando conflicto tras conflicto a través de un largo tiempo y que su amor permanezca intacto, es una idealización del amor que pone a aspirar a más de una persona. A esto se le suma un desarrollo de la trama pausado, permitiendo que los conflictos y las relaciones marinan bien, haciendo que los desenlaces sean satisfactorios.

Visually, it's quite good. The cinematography of the Scottish landscapes is always a plus for me, and when you add the shots of colonial America, they really transport you back in time. All of that, plus costumes that are perfectly suited to each era, fully immerse you in the story. These details make the historical element so strong, which is the main reason I watched the whole series. The time travel aspect takes a backseat when they start dealing with conflicts that actually happened in the past. My favorite part was the American Revolutionary War.

A nivel visual es bastante buena, la fotografía de los paisajes de Escocia nunca es malo para mí, y a eso le sumamos los de la América colonial que logran transportar en el tiempo, eso más un vestuario muy de cada una de las épocas, te sumergen por completo en la historia. Estos detalles hacen que el elemento histórico sea muy bueno, es la razón por la que ví toda la serie, el tema de los viajes en el tiempo pasa a segundo plano, cuando comienzan a tratarse los conflictos que ocurrieron en el pasado, mi preferido, la guerra de independencia de los Estados Unidos.

But, like any good story, Outlander has its weak points. The main one is its pacing—not all audiences appreciate such detailed character development because it takes so long. Another criticism is how explicit it can be about sexuality. Even the topics of violence and sexual assault are, in my opinion, treated too lightly, as if they were just a device for character development. And I can't help but feel it's more of a soap opera than a series because it has some ridiculous dramatic twists that take away from a cleaner story. Despite all that, the historical parts kept me entertained enough to get hooked for seven seasons.

Pero, como toda buena historia, Outlander tiene puntos débiles, el principal es su ritmo, no todas las audiencias aprecian el desarrollo detallados de personajes porque toma mucho tiempo. Otro punto criticable es lo explícita que puede ser cuando se trata de sexualidad, incluso el tema de la violencia y agresión sexual se trata con liviandad, a mi juicio, como un recurso para desarrollar personajes. También no dejo de pensar que parece más una novela que una serie, porque tienes unos giros ridículos de drama que la alejan de una historia más pulcra, pero a pesar de esto me entretuvo con sus toques de historia al punto de tenerme enganchado por 7 temporadas.

Hola mis queridos lectores de Hive y amantes del mundo del cine ❤️, hoy les quiero compartir un título que esta casi recién estrenado, uno que me quedé esperando desde que terminó la primera temporada pero que, conforme fue transcurriendo el tiempo perdía la esperanza de que hubiera una segunda temporada,y al fin la espera terminó y ya está anunciada la segunda temporada de Merlina.

Al principio vemos un pequeño resumen de la primera temporada, porque si la necesitábamos jaja, para así ponernos en contexto y entender la continuación de la historia, una historia que promete más sucesos misteriosos y un poco macabros dentro de lo que el género y la censura por la restricción de edad lo permite. Les confieso que aún no la termino, intenté hacerlo este fin de semana pero solo llegué a la mitad, 4 capitulos de 8, y la verdad que me he sorprendido mucho con las escenas de asesinatos, porque si, en esta temporada veremos algo más fuerte que solo mounstros, magia y oscuridad por parte de la familia Addams que los caracteriza mucho, sobre todo de la pequeña Merlina.

Aún estoy muy enganchada y con muchas ganas de saber lo que pasará, que creo aún no he visto lo realmente interesante que pude ver en los trailers. De momento solo me quedo con la investigación de Merlina por descubrir una serie de misterios asesinatos, con el mismo patrón, pero quién será?. Los villanos de la temporada pasada supuestamente están encerrados pagando su condena, pero con una historia aparecen nuevos villanos a primera vista no se dan a conocer sino hasta que ya su malvado plan está hecho. Lo que si es un verdadero hecho es que algo muy malo se avecina y eso Merlina lo sabe o intuye muy bien gracias a sus visiones que también debe aprender a controlar.

Hello, my dear Hive readers and movie lovers ❤️. Today I want to share with you a title that has just been released, one that I've been waiting for since the first season ended but, as time went by, I lost hope that there would be a second season. Finally, the wait is over, and the second season of Merlina has been announced.

At the beginning, we see a short summary of the first season, because we needed it, haha, to put us in context and understand the continuation of the story, a story that promises more mysterious and slightly macabre events within the limits of the genre and age restrictions. I confess that I haven't finished it yet. I tried to do so this weekend, but I only got halfway through, 4 episodes out of 8, and I must say that I was very surprised by the murder scenes, because yes, this season we will see something stronger than just monsters, magic, and darkness on the part of the Addams family that characterizes them so much, especially little Merlina.

I'm still hooked and eager to find out what happens next. I don't think I've seen the really interesting parts yet, which I could see in the trailers. For now, I'm just focused on Merlina's investigation to uncover a series of mysterious murders, all following the same pattern, but who could be behind them? Last season's villains are supposedly locked up serving their sentences, but a new story introduces new villains who, at first glance, remain unknown until their evil plan is already in motion. What is certain is that something very bad is coming, and Merlina knows or senses this very well thanks to her visions, which she must also learn to control.

De momento mi puntuación para esta serie sería un 9 de 10, me esta gustando y espero siga así hasta el final, ya luego les daré mis impresiones y críticas sobre el capítulo final. Aquí les comparto el tráiler para que la disfruten y se animen a verla si es que aún no lo han hecho.. y ya luego me cuentan que tal les pareció 😸.

At the moment, my rating for this series would be 9 out of 10. I'm enjoying it and hope it stays that way until the end. I'll give you my impressions and reviews of the final episode later. Here's the trailer for you to enjoy and encourage you to watch it if you haven't already... and then let me know what you think 😸.

trailer Link

Espero les haya gustado y espero también compartirles muy pronto nuevas críticas y recomendaciones (sin spoilers)😁 de series y películas que vaya mirando, con mucho cariño me despido y será hasta la próxima !!💕

I hope you liked it and I hope to share with you very soon new reviews and recommendations (without spoilers)😁 of series and movies that I'm watching, with much affection I say goodbye and will be until next time !!!💕

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Translator|Traductor _DeepL