Andres No Quiere Dormir La Siesta

Andres No Quiere Dormir La Siesta, a 2009 Argentinean film directed by Daniel Bustamante, is a poignant reflection on childhood and the art of grappling with harrowing truths at a tender age. The film stars seasoned actress Norma Aleandro and upcoming actors Conrado Valenzuela and Fabio Aste, in a narrative that combines drama, melancholy, and a gentle humor to deliver an emotionally captivating experience.

As the title suggests, which translates to "Andres Doesn't Want to Take A Siesta," the movie is centered around a little boy named Andres (Conrado Valenzuela), who is quite adamant about not adhering to the daily normative routine of an afternoon nap - a siesta. However, Andres's resistance to sleep serves as a foreground to a much deeper narrative that foregrounds a child's perception of reality, tinged with innocence, curiosity, and a sense of bewilderment.

Norma Aleandro, Argentine cinema's renowned face, plays the role of Andres's grandmother Clara. She is the person tasked with taking care of Andres after a sudden and tragic incident in the family. Aleandro, known for her powerhouse performances, again does a commendable job in this film, breathing life into a character who is battling her own set of emotions while trying her best to create a protective shell around Andres, sheltering his tender age from harsh real-world experiences.

The role of Andres's father, Roberto, takes Fabio Aste, a notable figure in Argentine television, to his cinematic journey. Roberto is a character that reflects personal struggles, regrets, and the desperate attempt to make amends. Thus, Aste's balanced portrayal of the character adds another nuanced layer to the narrative.

However, the real show-stealer of the movie is the little wonder, Conrado Valenzuela as Andres. True to his character, Valenzuela perfectly captures the sweet stubbornness of a child who does not want to sleep at siesta time, giving the audience an innocent lens through which to weave the narrative.

The setting of the movie assumes an important role as it shackles between the dual worlds of Andres - one that encompasses the reality of his disrupted familial life, and the other concocted by his imagination, where he attempts to deal with his fears, questions, and observations. Bustamante's use of Diego Poleri's seamless cinematography and Sergio Moure de Oteyza's compositions adds a visually rich layer to the narrative, as the constant play of light and shadow represents the duality of the worlds that Andres lives in.

Andres No Quiere Dormir La Siesta is not simply a story of a child's whimsy. It is an exploration of the complexities in the relationship between children and adults and the impact of their decisions. It fables the extent to which a child will go to find answers that their grown-up world often fails to deliver. It is a heart-rending tale of growing up, of understanding grief and sadness, narrated through the perspective of a child.

Bustamante’s movie is a handsome production, selling the period details while preserving the spatial requirements of Andres and his internal and external wanderings. Above all, it tells a deeply humane and moving story, where the viewer is led through a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter to tears, from tension to tranquillity. It offers a spectacle into the life of a young boy, the environment he grows up in, and his understanding of the world, making it an enlightening and enchanting experience. Andres No Quiere Dormir La Siesta is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of childhood, to their resilience and their world view, reminding us that there is always another side to the story.