Cria Cuervos [2 Discs] [Criterion Collection]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Carlos Saura wrote and directed this powerful psychological drama in which family crises which reflect the embattled soul of a nation are seen through the eyes of an unusually perceptive child. Ana (Ana Torrent) is an eight-year-old girl growing up in a troubled household -- her father Anselmo (Hector Alterio) is a general in the Spanish military during the waning days of Franco's repressive regime, and her mother (Geraldine Chaplin) is dead, Ana having witnessed her agonizing final moments. Anna, her older sister Irene (Conchita Perez) and younger sister Juana (Maite Sanchez) are looked after by their emotionally chilly Aunt Paulina (Monica Randall), while housekeeper Rosa (Florinda Chico) provides what little warmth there is to be found in the household. While Ana's mother is gone, the girl frequently sees and hears her mother's spirit, and is convinced Anselmo's emotional neglect and infidelity is responsible for her death, leading the youngster to take her own form of revenge against her father. The title Cria Cuervos is taken from a Spanish proverb -- "Raise ravens and they'll pluck out your eyes." The film was originally released in the United States under title Cria!, and has been screened in English-speaking territories as Raise Ravens and The Secret of Ana. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 2
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 (Vistavision)
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Features:
  • Disc One - The Film:
  • New, restored high-definition digital transfer
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • New and improved English subtitle translation
  • Disc Two - The Supplements:
  • Portrait of Carlos Saura, a documentary on the life and career of the Spanish auteur
  • New interviews with actresses Geraldine Chaplin and Ana Torrent
  • Plus: a booklet featuring a new essay by film scholar Paul Julian Smith

AWARDS

• Cannes Film Festival

•     Won Special Jury Grand Prix - 1976

• Hollywood Foreign Press Association

•     Nominated Best Foreign Film - 1977

• National Board of Review

•     Nominated Best Foreign Film - 1977

• Venice International Film Festival

•     Film Presented - 1976 (Carlos Saura)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Josefina Diaz
       Ana Torrent - Ana as a Child

• Director:

  Carlos Saura

• Producer:

  Carlos Saura

• Screenwriter:

  Carlos Saura

• Cinematographer:

  Teo Escamilla

• Editor:

  Pablo Gonzalez del Amo

• Set Designer:

  Rafael Palmero

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Bernardo Menz