Watch Cocote

Cocote is a 2017 Dominican drama film directed by Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias. The film follows Alberto, a working-class gardener, who returns from Santo Domingo to attend the funeral of his father in his hometown in the Dominican Republic. Alberto comes from a deeply religious family that follows a syncretic form of Catholicism and African spirituality. He is expected to participate in the traditional nine-day mourning ritual that involves praying and mourning. However, Alberto is no longer a devout Catholic, and his faith is tested when his family demands he avenges his father's murder by killing the local landowner responsible for his death.

The film blends different genres and styles, incorporating a mix of documentary and fiction elements, as well as references to Dominican religion, culture, and politics. The film's title, Cocote, refers to a traditional clay pot used for cooking and serving food in the Dominican Republic. It is also a metaphor for the cycle of life and death, as well as an object of cultural significance and identity.

The film is visually striking, with a mix of handheld and static shots, colorful and naturalistic compositions, and a deliberate pacing that reflects the slow and contemplative rhythms of rural life. The film's use of sound is also notable, with a diverse range of musical genres and styles, as well as ambient sounds that add texture and depth to the scenes.

The film's central conflict revolves around Alberto's struggle to reconcile his family's expectations and beliefs with his own views and values. On the one hand, Alberto wants to respect his father's memory and honor his legacy by following the traditional mourning rites. On the other hand, he is torn between his conscience and his loyalty to his family, as well as the demands of his job and his love life.

Vicente Santos gives a nuanced and understated performance as Alberto, conveying a sense of inner conflict and emotional depth through his facial expressions and body language. Jose Cruz and Yuberbi de la Rosa also shine as Alberto's siblings, each bringing their own perspective and personality to the family dynamic.

Overall, Cocote is an immersive and thought-provoking film that explores themes of faith, tradition, identity, and power. It offers a rare glimpse into a unique cultural and spiritual world, while also raising universal questions about the human condition that transcend borders and languages.

Cocote is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 70.