Bleak Street

Bleak Street at the Projector
As part of the Mexican Film Fest SG

The almost continuous shot of this black and white film made the narrative slightly confusing. It didn't really help that the actress of the twin's mom and the prostitute looked alike.

I was slightly disappointed by the narrative of the film but the cinematography was stunning. Most scenes were very fine art in formal elements such as composition, shadows and light.

What was also apparent was the superstition believes such as do not utter their names, else God will take them away. Or do not do utter the wrong things on e.g. the day of your match, else you might lose etc.

There is prevalent Catholic traditions e.g. grace before meals, and iconography in all the character's​ homes, most of which are melded with superstitious beliefs. Like hiding money within figurines maybe because it is a means of protection?

When the twin boys died, I emphatised with the mother and got her side of the story. She gave birth to twins but they turned out small (dwarf). Yet the children the twins beget are of usual height and appeared normal. At their passing they look like little children who do not belong to this world. They just appeared to be sleeping. All their lives they are being teased and have to stand up for themselves. They look at their mom like she was a saint yet she doesn't do anything at all. The men in this show are mostly good-for-nothing. Not sure if this is a reflection of three Mexican society? The boys have to seek their own identity as shadows of the usual sized boxers. The younger twin (presumably) also appe as red to have difficulty standing up to his boxer which he shadows. No attire which he wants, gets scolded by his wife, adores his brother and goaded for it. I wonder if this is a younger twin syndrome? To be always in the shadow of the older twin?

The boys won the fight but lost their lives to two elderly senior citizen prostitutes, who over-drugged them. All these ladies wanted was their money which does not seem a lot even though they won. That was how sad. The price the boys paid for their lives! Though it seemed that it was the druggist who over drugged them by suggesting the usual sized dosage for putting eye drops into hard liquor. Her rationale was because they were dwarves. Cruel! This highly educated young lady, who will most likely not be prosecuted. What shocked me was the Mexican police's rationale. To quickly close this controversial case so that it is out of public eye asap.

I pity the elderly prostitutes too. One who has an elderly mother to feed and the other who has a useless husband and whore for a daughter. I remember clearly the pimp's reply to one of them- that experience does not count. The woman recalls how satisfied eachcustomer was. Such professionalism! The one with the elderly mother. Brings her out to beg yet at the same time cuddles her to sleep. This reflection of love-hate stems from the mother's treatment of her when the mother was still of good health. She couldn't bear to see her mother uncared for after she goes to jail, and decides to end the life of the mother for her. The other elderly prostitute with a gay husband. Caught in her beautiful clothes and all she thinks about is how he had stretched them- get means to livelihood. And a daughter following in her footsteps just to splurge on the latest handover model. I detest her behaviour yet pity her as Life had dealt her a cruel hand. I pity both senior citizens who choose the wrong career path. How much is this a reflection of the Mexican society? I wonder what other elderly prostitutes do after they reach a certain age? Maybe become a pimp? Sadly these two women are still working so hard even though it's such a short-sighted move.