Watch Samuel in the Clouds

Samuel in the Clouds is a visually stunning and thoughtful film that explores the difficult realities of life for an aging cable car operator in Bolivia. The movie, which was released in 2016 and directed by Pieter Van Eecke, takes place in La Paz, Bolivia, where Samuel (played by Samuel Mendoza) has spent over two decades working as a cable car operator. Samuel is a quiet and reserved man who is content with his simple life and the breathtaking views that he regularly encounters while working above the city.

The film starts by introducing the audience to Samuel's daily routine, which involves waking up early in the morning, making his way to the cable car station, and spending hours transporting passengers from one end of the city to the other. The cable car system, which was built in the early 2000s, has been a source of pride for Bolivia, providing an efficient and cost-effective way for people to get around the congested city.

As the film progresses, we begin to see the ways in which Samuel's job is impacted by the changing political and economic climate in Bolivia. The government announces plans to build a new cable car line, which will render Samuel's job obsolete. While many of his colleagues protest the decision, Samuel remains stoic and resigned to his fate. He understands that his job is not the most secure, but he is content with the work he does and the views he gets to see every day.

Despite the challenges he faces, Samuel is a kind and gentle soul who takes great pride in his work. He is particularly fond of one of his regular passengers, a young woman named Ana (played by Marta Calle), who rides the cable car to and from work every day. They strike up a friendship, and Samuel becomes a sort of surrogate father figure to Ana, offering her words of wisdom and support as she navigates her way through life.

As the film progresses, we begin to see the ways in which Samuel's life has been shaped by the political and economic climate in Bolivia. Samuel was born and raised in a small village in the Andes Mountains, and his experiences with poverty and political instability have left him with a deep sense of resignation and fatalism. Despite the beauty that surrounds him, Samuel is haunted by the knowledge that life can be cruel and unforgiving.

Despite the bleak themes of the movie, Samuel in the Clouds is a visually stunning and beautifully shot film that showcases the natural beauty of Bolivia. The filmmakers make great use of aerial shots, capturing the sprawling city of La Paz and the surrounding mountains in breathtaking detail. The cable car system, which serves as the film's primary setting, is depicted as a marvel of engineering and a testament to human ingenuity.

The film's central performance by Samuel Mendoza is nothing short of remarkable. Mendoza, who is not a professional actor, brings a quiet dignity and grace to the role of Samuel. His reserved and understated performance perfectly captures the character's deep sense of resignation and quiet despair.

On the whole, Samuel in the Clouds is a powerful and poignant film that offers a sobering look at the ways in which political and economic forces can shape the lives of ordinary people. The film's stunning visuals and heartfelt performances make it a must-see for fans of arthouse cinema, and its themes of resilience and hope in the face of adversity make it a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Samuel in the Clouds is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.