The film Japon′s director, Carlos Reygadas, seems to believe that film is a visual rather than a story-telling medium. The majestic and gloomy scenery of Mexico as captured by the film is hard to erase. Just as in the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, director Carlos Reygadas’s camera moves slowly and vertically, perhaps suggesting that the director is interested in filming nature rather than following the story line. The film begins with a middle-aged man--who is contemplating suicide--who arrives at a desolate village to achieve inner peace before the final act. Throughout the film, the aging bodies of men are contrasted with the scenes of nature. The imagery of nature in turn enlightens us as to the importance that is life, no matter if it is aging and/or dying. (Kim Young-jin)