The Double Steps (Los pasos dobles)

A Tusitala P.C., Bord Cadre Films, Television Espanola production. (Worldwide sales: M-Appeal, Berlin.) Produced by Luisa Matienzo, Serta Wechsler. Directed by Isaki Lacuesta. Script, Isa Campo, Lacuesta.With: Bokar Dembele, Miquel Barcelo, Alou Cisse, Hamadoun Kassogue, Amon Pegnere Dolo, Amassagou Dolo, Abinum Dolo, Soumaila Sabata, Djenebou Keita, Mahamadou Camara. Narrator: Hamadoun Kassogue. (Bambara, Dogon, French dialogue)Idiosyncratic helmer Isaki Lacuesta combines docu, re-creation and fiction inside the visually impressive but narratively challenged "The Double Steps." Weaving facets of the presence of French-artist-in-Africa Francois Augieras with people of his spiritual heir, The the spanish language language-artist-in-Africa Miquel Barcelo, and tales told through the Dogon people of Mali, the pic uses the mission for any hidden fresco cycle just like a jumping-off indicate enjoy concepts of storytelling, fantasy and Barcelo's relationship to his selected home. Elliptical, meandering and ultimately unconvincing, "Double Steps" received San Sebastian's top prize and often will not get free from the fest ghetto. It seems that painter and author Augieras took part in a bit of mythmaking before his dying in 1971. He ensure it is known he colored a cycle of frescoes in the bunker somewhere in Mali, they then covered finished desert sands, departing scattered clues being discovered eventually. Lacuesta presents two journeys in "The Double Steps," one including an embodiment of Augieras having a local (Bokar Dembele), as well as the other with artist Barcelo, whose recent tasks are inspired with the late French painter's existence and oeuvre. The helmer moves forward and backward between these two cell phone industry's, stimulated simply with the empty spaces left by hungry termites who've eaten away pieces of art left in Mali's challenging atmosphere. The idea now is easier to explain in guides instead of realize onscreen, as well as the words supplied by narrator Hamadoun Kassogue don't make things much clearer. Early moments act like Claire Denis' "Love Travail": Augieras can be a soldier in the fort commanded by his uncle (Kassogue), with whom he seems by having an incestuous relationship. This Augieras is certainly an invention inspired with the Frenchman instead of a literal version. When he fails some trust exercises with fellow soldiers, he's banned and starts his wanderings, including falling together with some bandits and encounters getting a village of albinos. Inside the here-and-now, Barcelo offers and socializes with residents to whom fantastical tales are part of everyday existence. They will use search of Augieras' lost bunker, which leads to an beneficial scene in the cave whose walls are partly engrossed in sketches. Thinking they're clues Augieras left, and not wanting to permit them be read by others, Barcelo and also the pals rub the markings away. Only audiences who watch Lacuesta's 61-minute docu "The Clay Journals," also presented at San Sebastian, recognizes that Barcelo themselves made these sketches "Clay," which mostly records a performance thing of beauty in Mali, will definitely be one more round the DVD. Spaghetti Westerns are among Lacuesta's inspirations, partly due to Augieras' own affinities, and certain moments, together with the background music, are patterned following a legendary oaters. The semi-destroyed grime structures in the Dogon bear a resemblance to Native American pueblos, as well as the outlaws with bandoliers further the comparison. Celebrate for many ambiance but impenetrable narration, even though helmer has an interest in conjuring mood, with legendary (some may say stereotyped) images from the guy in the baobab tree, or several albinos emerging from tents throughout the evening. Lacuesta's usual ace d.p. Diego Dussuel remarkably captures the striking Mali landscapes, and also the atmospheric nocturnal moments, utilizing their fanciful evocations from the almost otherworldly spirituality, may also be things of question. The transfer from Red-colored-colored to 35mm keeps all the preferred richness of tone.Camera (color, HD-to-35mm), Diego Dussuel editor, Domi Parra music, Gerard Gil production designer, Sebastian Birchler costume designer, Christophe Mercier appear (Dolby), Amanda Villavieja, Juerg von Allmen connect producer, Jamal Zeimal Zade assistant director, Luis Bertolo casting, Cendrine Lapuyade. Examined at San Sebastian Film Festival (competing), Sept. 19, 2011. (Also in Busan Film Festival -- World Cinema Chicago Film Festival -- World Cinema, Black Perspectives.) Running time: 91 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com