A Cuban Fight Against Demons (1972) vs. Meanders (1966)

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A Cuban Fight Against Demons (Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, 1972) vs. Meanders (Mircea Săucan, 1966)

Vote for either x1972 or x1966 (italicization unnecessary).

The deadline for voting is 12 a.m. EST on Sunday, May 12.

If you need access to the films, please let us know.

[St. Gloede]

This is a horribly tight match, watched both for DtC19 this month, and both got the top grade, however, as I have to pick, I will give it to A Cuban Fight Against Demons. x1972

[Angel]

x1972

Nothing good to say, though.

[mesnalty]

I enjoyed both, but Meanders was a bit, well, meandering for my taste. A Cuban Fight Against Demons is a brutal, complex piece of Third Cinema, great stuff.

[karl]

You forgot to vote, mesnalty.

[mesnalty]

You forgot to vote, mesnalty.

Oops, thanks! x1972

[Lencho of the Apes]

I liked both a lot; there were things about Meanders that I thought were exceptionally inventive, and Pelea was a powerful and conceptually-dense piece of filmmaking.
No vote,just on principle.

[kanafani]

x1972

[john ryan]

x1966

[rischka]

good match!! x1966

i could vote for either but one thing i enjoy in this cup is seeing how well the film reflects its year and the startling cinematography here is so 1966





i watched demons over two nights and the second hour was especially gripping. definitely should be better known! hope these two can be restored one day.

[Brotherdeacon]

x1966 Two impressive films. Difficult to vote for one over the other (yes, I see others have the same dilemma--but what a pleasurable dilemma to have for film addicts). And though it's silly to say Meanders is better than A Cuban Fight Against Demons, I can vote for its wonderful experimental-ish camera framing and tracking shots, not to mention all of the artistic flourishes Mircea Săucan was courageous enough to include. Also, I could watch actress Margareta Pogonat's sensual and inscrutable close-ups forever--some mention Antonioni similarities, especially around architecture, but I also saw many elements which reminded me of Mai Zetterling's Nattlek from 2 years later.

A Cuban Fight Against Demons might be the better film, a harrowing study of historical Colonialism in Cuba which the always proficient Tomás Gutiérrez Alea adapted into passionate and swirlingly-stylish political theater seen in the best examples of Third Cinema, especially reminiscent of Glauber Rocha's Black God, White Devil in capturing an hysteria of violence and madness within the antagonisms of Catholic colonial masters and the populace of indigenous revolt. Thanks to both managers for great choices.

[karl]

So... you think Cuban Fight's the better film... but you're gonna vote for Meanders. Gotcha. Guess folk like a tight race. At least kanafani voted my way this time, think that's a first...

[Brotherdeacon]

Oops, I'm inconsistent sometimes. 2 very good films.

[kanafani]

At least kanafani voted my way this time, think that's a first...

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Voting closed! A Cuban Fight Against Demons (1972) wins!