The Double Steps (Los pasos dobles)

A Tusitala P.C., Bord Cadre Films, Television Espanola production. (Worldwide sales: M-Appeal, Berlin.) Created by Luisa Matienzo, Serta Wechsler. Directed by Isaki Lacuesta. Script, Isa Campo, Lacuesta.With: Bokar Dembele, Miquel Barcelo, Alou Cisse, Hamadoun Kassogue, Amon Pegnere Dolo, Amassagou Dolo, Abinum Dolo, Soumaila Sabata, Djenebou Keita, Mahamadou Camara. Narrator: Hamadoun Kassogue. (Bambara, Dogon, French dialogue)Idiosyncratic helmer Isaki Lacuesta combines docu, re-creation and fiction within the aesthetically impressive but narratively challenged "The Double Steps." Weaving aspects of the existence of French-artist-in-Africa Francois Augieras with individuals of his spiritual heir, The spanish language-artist-in-Africa Miquel Barcelo, and tales relayed through the Dogon people of Mali, the pic uses the quest for a concealed fresco cycle like a jumping-off indicate have fun with concepts of storytelling, fantasy and Barcelo's relationship to his selected home. Elliptical, meandering and ultimately unconvincing, "Double Steps" received San Sebastian's top prize but will not get out of the fest ghetto. It appears that painter and author Augieras participated in a little of mythmaking before his dying in 1971. He allow it to be known he colored a cycle of frescoes inside a bunker somewhere in Mali, that they then covered over and done with desert sands, departing scattered clues to become discovered eventually. Lacuesta presents two journeys in "The Double Steps," one including an embodiment of Augieras with a local (Bokar Dembele), and also the other with artist Barcelo, whose recent jobs are inspired through the late French painter's existence and oeuvre. The helmer moves backwards and forwards between both of these mobile phone industry's, stimulated simply through the empty spaces left by hungry termites who've eaten away works of art left in Mali's challenging atmosphere. The concept is simpler to describe in publications rather than realize onscreen, and also the words provided by narrator Hamadoun Kassogue don't make things much clearer. Early moments are similar to Claire Denis' "Love Travail": Augieras is really a soldier inside a fort commanded by his uncle (Kassogue), with whom he appears with an incestuous relationship. This Augieras is definitely an invention inspired through the Frenchman as opposed to a literal version. When he fails some trust exercises with fellow soldiers, he's banned and begins his wanderings, including falling along with some bandits and encounters having a village of albinos. Within the here-and-now, Barcelo offers and socializes with local people to whom fantastical tales are a part of everyday existence. They use search of Augieras' lost bunker, which results in an uplifting scene inside a cave whose walls are partially engrossed in sketches. Thinking they are clues Augieras left, and reluctant to allow them be read by others, Barcelo and the buddies rub the markings away. Only audiences who watch Lacuesta's 61-minute docu "The Clay Journals," also presented at San Sebastian, knows that Barcelo themself made these sketches "Clay," which mostly records a performance work of art in Mali, will certainly be an additional around the DVD. Spaghetti Westerns are among Lacuesta's inspirations, partially because of Augieras' own affinities, and certain moments, along with the music, are patterned following the legendary oaters. The semi-destroyed dirt structures from the Dogon bear a resemblance to Native American pueblos, and also the outlaws with bandoliers further the comparison. Celebrate for lots of ambiance but impenetrable narration, although the helmer is interested in conjuring mood, with legendary (some may say stereotyped) images of the guy inside a baobab tree, or several albinos emerging from tents during the night. Lacuesta's usual ace d.p. Diego Dussuel remarkably captures the striking Mali landscapes, and the atmospheric nocturnal moments, using their whimsical evocations of the almost otherworldly spirituality, will also be things of question. The transfer from Red-colored to 35mm maintains all of the preferred richness of tone.Camera (color, HD-to-35mm), Diego Dussuel editor, Domi Parra music, Gerard Gil production designer, Sebastian Birchler costume designer, Christophe Mercier seem (Dolby), Amanda Villavieja, Juerg von Allmen connect producer, Jamal Zeimal Zade assistant director, Luis Bertolo casting, Cendrine Lapuyade. Examined at San Sebastian Film Festival (competing), Sept. 19, 2011. (Also in Busan Film Festival -- World Cinema Chicago Film Festival -- World Cinema, Black Perspectives.) Running time: 91 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com