Cesar’s Grill (Dario Aguirre, 2013): Ecuador

Reviewed by Filippa Hernius. Viewed at the SB Museum of Art, Santa Barbara.

Cesar’s grill is a documentary from Ecuador. I was really touched by this documentary because of the big change that is about to happen in the movie.

The movie is about Dario Aguirre, born and raised in Ecuador. They all talk spanish. His father is called Cesar and he owns a grill and that’s what he do for a living. Dario doesn’t want to stay in Ecuador and take over the grill, he wants greater things for his life. So he moves to Germany to his fathers disappointment. But he comes back because it’s going bad for the restaurant and Dario decides to help him. Dario and Cesar can’t really talk, the only thing they talk about is the grill and how they are going to make more money.

Unfortunately the mother, the link of communication between Dario and Cesar, dies. Both take it really hard and for the first time, Cesar starts to cry in front of his son. This is a touching scene when the camera stands still and Cesar goes behind it so you only can hear what’s going on.

Every now and then Dario shows up with a guitar and starts to sing about what just happened. It’s fun and relaxing to hear some music when there’s so much seriousness otherwise. It’s also funny when Dario talks about the toilets in Germany, which is a lot different from the ones in Ecuador. Cesar can’t really understand how the urin and water just disappear and renews. AND you can flush down the paper as well.. That’s just to much to take in for him. I really like the sense of humour in the documentary. It’s important in a documentary so it doesn’t become to dark and deep.

The environment is very dirty and the people are poor. It’s far away from the western world. I can’t stop getting the feeling that I really don’t want to live there. It’s a simple life but I understand why people in young age seeks the happiness somewhere else.

There was one point in the film that I got really touched. Dario and Cesar are sitting by a river and Cesar finally starts to talk about deeper things than a everyday-conversation. Dario started to cry. I can’t explain how it touched me but if you see the movie, you will understand! So, just see it, the perspectives gets bigger and it was a good eyeopener .