International cinema is getting more and more notice from mainstream audiences, particularly in the horror genre, with movies likeExhumaandThe Coffee Tabledisturbing viewers all over the world. While foreign horror films often present unique styles of filmmaking, there are also instances where these movies offer familiar tales simply portrayed through the lens of an excitingly different cultural perspective.Errementari:The Blacksmith and the Devilstands out not only asthe first Basque-language film available on Netflix, but also as a compelling watch that seamlessly blends familiar folklore elements witha fresh, rarely seen cultural viewpoint. It’s also a perfect movie for those who like more than a little darkness added to their fantasy adventures, asErrementarihas deals with devils, trips to hell, and judgmental townsfolk blended with humor and heart. With its rich folklore and moody atmosphere,Errementarioffers an intriguing glimpse into Basque mythological traditions and a solid dark and fantastic adventure.
The Folklore of ‘Errementari’ Is Both Unique and Harsh
Errementarisetsits dark fairy-tale toneright from the beginning as an unseen narrator explains that this is the story of a man so strong and clever he bested the Devil himself. The man in question is a blacksmith named Patxi (Kandido Uranga) who made a bargain with a demon named Sartael (Eneko Sagardoy) to survive the war and see his wife again.Eight years later, Patxi is a pariah in his small townbut crosses paths with an orphan girl with a burned face, named Usue (Uma Bracaglia). Patxi, angry with the outcome of his deal with Sartael,has the demon locked up in his forge, butUsue is tricked into letting Sartael free. This sets in motion events that will bond the three of them together but also lead tiny Usue into making her own deal andsending her on a trip to hell, where only Patxi has the wits and strength to save her.
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Errementariwears its cultural influences on its sleeve, proudly representing the history of the Basque Country through its language andchoice of folkloric inspiration. The Basque Country is officially part of Spain but is recognized as its own autonomous community, and as such it has its own particular language and culture.Errementaridoesn’t just use the standard Basque language, but a specific dialect that is now virtually extinct. Even the appearance and behaviors of the devils and demons in the movie feel unique to the Basque Country. Sartael generally looks like atraditional devil with red skin and horns, buthe has distinct fish-like features as well, like head fins and scaly legs. European legends sometimes say that vampires are unable to resist counting every individual bean or grain of rice spilled in front of them (it turns out thatSesame Street’sCount Von Count is deeper than just a pun!). InErrementari,this applies to general devils as well, but with chickpeas instead of rice or grain. It’s a recognizable story for anyone who grew up reading fables and fairy tales, but witha Basque Country flavor that breathes life into what could have been a too-familiar tale.
‘Errementari’ Is Dark But Not Entirely Horror
Fantasy movies can run the gamut from light-hearted romps likeLabyrinthto terrifying tales likePan’s Labyrinth.Errementariis squarely in the middle, never reaching anything nightmare-inducing but still providinga very dark atmosphere for its fairy tale-like story. Think of it likeLegend– sure,Tim Curryis imposing in his Darkness get-up, but most of the movie feels more like an adventure fable for older children.Most ofErrementariis set in dark, gloomy buildingsilluminated only by candles or the blacksmith’s burning forge. In the rare instances where scenes take place elsewhere, there’s either a gloomy, overcast sky or they’re surrounded by the flames of hell itself. Not exactly a stroll through a magical forest.
Besides the blacksmith’s tragic backstory, there’s also Usue;she’s the plucky young heroinewho touches the heart of Patxi, butshe’s also a neglected orphan who’s teasednot just for her appearance but for the suicide of her mother, both things over which she obviously had no control. And her part in the adventure mostly revolves around her trying to find out more about her mother’s fate, culminating in her following Patxi’s footsteps andstriking a bargain with Sartael in order to go to hell to see her mother.It’s a bleak journey, but to counterbalance the doom and gloom,Usue is charming and innocentenough for it to feel a little more cheerful. And even though Sartael is a demon, he provides a good amount of comic relief to the movie as he tries to wile his way out of Patxi’s grasp.Errementariwalks a fine line between a tense but ultimately touching fantasy adventure and somber horror. The result is a movie perfect for those who want something new and a little on the dark side without feeling like an outright scary movie.
Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil
