The Well

The Well
Original title: Brunnen
Directed by: Kristian Petri
Denmark/Sweden, 2005
Documentary, 105 mi
Distributed by: Triangel Film

Story:
Documentary film maker Petri travels through Spain in the footsteps of Orson Welles not primarily focusing on Welles career, but on his relationship to the country. Welles spent plenty of time in Spain documenting, planning and even started production on several movies that never took off or where completed, like his legendary Don Quixote adaptation. With the goal set for legendary bullfighter Antonio Ordoñez’s back yard and the well there, where Welles is buried, Petri takes a road movie approach to his destination only halting to talk to people who where close to Welles during his time in Spain.

Me:
This is Swedish documentary when it's at its best. Very narrow and very true to the topic. Petri focuses on Welles, weaves together biographical fact and trivia with Welles own home movie footage from his travels with new interviews with the people Welles worked, ate and drank with during his time in Spain. Most interesting for an exploitation film fan like myself is obviously the lengthy part where Petri meets and talks to Jesus Franco, who fondly shares his memories of Welles and the influences his movies and character had upon him. The final destination is approached with respect, and it's a wonderful play with words when we finally reach Orson's well. Great stuff, highly entertaining and well worth spending an hour and forty-five minute watching.

Image:
Shot in 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen the presentation is in 16X9. Varied quality due to source materials. Being aware of public interest, Triangel Film has released this documentary with Swedish, Danish and English subtitles.

Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 in Swedish, with Spanish and English dialogue now and again.

Extras:
Not to many, a trailer, extended interviews and the 52 minute TV cut of the documentary.