206 of 1001 Movies: Cria Cuervos (1976)

Carlos Saura has a made a dark film with no point. It's got all the vibe of the 70's in it, and some great actors. The movie though lacks a little in making a connection with the whole point of the movie, and with disjointed scenes thrown in that interrupt the flow it just leaves you feeling empty by the end. It's got a surreal tone, and unless you're into the artsy overtures then it might be a miss. Saura takes the colors, music, and atmosphere of the time to make something that plays as real life though.

Summary: After the death of their father, Ana, Irene, and Maite are left orphaned and in the care of their aunt. Ana becomes oddly fascinated with death though after witnessing her mother dying at home alone, and her father dead in his bed. This leaves her to be a problematic child with an uncertain future that is only hinted at by her future self sometimes doing the voice over. Ana still is a child though, and while a lot of her childhood is messed up it still shows her treasuring and trying to enjoy the things that most other children do growing up.