The old man who read love stories.

Characters

Antonio Bolivar
Antonio originally moved to the jungle with his wife, Delores. Their
relationship is not characterised by passion, with Delores instead
suggesting that Those kisses are sinful. She does not manage to survive
life in the jungle, dying two years after their arrival of a burning fever.
The next phase of Antonios life begins with his survival after being bitten
by a deadly snake representing his being chosen by the gods. The Shuar,
who take him in, honour this survival by welcoming him into their world
as: You are not one of us, but you are like us. They teach him to listen to
the jungle and tread carefully in it, killing prey with poisoned darts.
Although he manages to live with them for forty years, Antonio is not one
of us as illustrated when he attempts to avenge Nushinos death. He is
expelled by the Shuar after failing to capture the courage of the fallen
gringo choosing to shoot him with a gun rather than the poisoned dart
which will preserve his facial expression as he dies. How can I shrink that
head when in life it has been frozen in that mask of fear?
Antonio returns to El Idilio, living on the edge of the village in his hut
overlooking the river. He cultivates the habit of reading, borrowing love
stories from the mayors servant, Josefina. During this time, however,
Antonios life is in limbo. He is haunted by his failure of Nushino and his
spirit, and seeks redemption for this. When he is asked to join the hunt for
the jaguar, it is this desire that entices him he hopes to make up for his
failures and make peace with Nushino through his dealings with the
jaguar.
An interesting point: Antonios surname Bolivar is the same as a famous
South American revolutionary Simon Bolivar. Simon Bolivar fought to
free South America from Spanish colonial rule.

How is Antonios place in his society illustrated in the film?

Explain how he is viewed by the villagers of El Idilio.
Antonio is frequently shot in the frame of a window why do you
think this is?
Why does Antonio read? Quote from the film

Josefina
Josefina is the mayors servant, who is used by him to make ... a bit of
money on the side suggesting that she acts as a prostitute. The mayor
treats her poorly, frequently shouting orders at her. It is through Josefina
that Antonio is introduced to love stories. Josefina acts as a kind of moral
compass to Antonio; when his confidence wavers, it is Josefina we see
reinforcing the fact that he is not a fool. She is beautiful, strong and
passionate illustrated in her resolute attitude when leaving the mayor,
stating I am not your slave.

What significant gift does Josefina give to Antonio?

Josefina narrates the initial sequence in the film why?

What other significant element of the story is she connected to?

Explain.

Rubicondo
Rubicondo is the travelling dentist who ends up stuck in El Idilio for the
rainy season after one of his affairs is discovered. Although his morals are
questionable at best, he retains honesty about him he knows who he is
and does not shy away from the fact. Rubicondo frequently derides the
mayor and is vocal about his distaste for the government. He is a
genuine friend of Antonio and they share a life on the edge of civilisation.

What does the need for a dentist in the jungle suggest about the
civilisation there?
How would you characterise him?
Why does he frequently choose to help Antonio?

The Mayor (Slimy toad)

The mayor continually discusses his superiority over others, suggesting
that it is the result of his education. Despite this, he is unable to live in
synergy with the jungle. He is frequently ridiculed by the inhabitants of El
Idilio. His corruption is evident as he trades votes in the universal
democratic election for bottles of Frontera rum. Power is significant to him,
as he continually expresses concerns about people reading, becoming
revolutionary or getting ideas as ...they just upset the natural order of
things. On the hunt for the jaguar, he is unwilling to listen to Antonio or
the other villagers and it is his recklessness that prevents them from
capturing the jaguar at Alkaseltzers hut.

Describe the physical appearance of the mayor. What does this

suggest about him?
How does he behave in the jungle?
Explain what the use of his character suggests about civilisation.

Nushino
Nushino appears to be the leader of the group of Shuar tribesmen who
take Antonio in after his snakebite. He frequently appears in flashback,
moving through the jungle with ease. He walks with an upright and
dignified posture. Although he wants to shrink the gringos head, he
suggests that this is to save his spirit in the afterlife rather than to simply
use as a trophy. Nushino appears to act as Antonios conscience, and it is
his insights that Antonio reflects on for guidance.

At which significant moments do we see Nushino in the film?

Why does he kill the sloth?
How does Nushinos death change Antonios view of himself?

The Jaguar

Whilst not a character in the traditional sense, the jaguar is given human
characteristics. She is hunting the men who have ...murdered her
babies. She lures Antonio to her mate, so that he can put him out of his
misery. After Antonio shoots the mate, we hear her howl of pain
resonating through the jungle. The jaguar then proceeds to hunt Antonio,
pissing on him when he hides under a canoe. Antonio ultimately kills her
with a poisoned dart and sends her body down the river.

Resources: Student tasks and materials

Post-Colonial Narrative
Colonialism is defined as the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and
expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory.
Australia is a British colony and sovereignty was claimed over the land by
the British. In the case of El Idilio, Spanish colonists sought to build a
civilization, ignoring the rights of any native peoples already living in that
area. Often, the literature that arises during a colonial period portrays the
native peoples as disorganised and inhuman savages. Post-colonial
narratives arose to challenge these portrayals.
Sepulvidas novel, upon which the film is based, is a post-colonial
narrative, highlighting tensions between colonial and native societies. It
explores the issues of language, displacement and authenticity - aiming to
present a clear illustration of the existing cultures within an area. De Heer
emphasises this throughout the film. It is important to consider the
portrayal of the colonialists how well do they fit with the land? Do they
seem natural within their environment? What do they need to do in order
to fit? De Heer is trying to tell us about the nature of the colonial past of
El Idilio and challenge us to rethink our views on the nature of civilization.
1. Describe the different ways that De Heer portrays the inhabitants of
El Idilio.
2. How does the setting challenge their western civilization?
3. What do you believe De Heer is trying to say about Spanish
colonialism in South America? Explain with detail.
Magic Realism
Magic realism is a key feature of much South American literature.
Although the narrative is set in a real world with the constraints of
reality, there is an element that transcends these boundaries. This magic
allows for and helps to explain events that would otherwise be
implausible. Throughout the film, the jaguar is used to portray this. It is
humanised through its relentless search for those who have killed her
babies. Thus, she is more human than animal, a character within the film.
The jaguar shares a connection with Antonio and their interactions are not
those of a normal, wild jaguar. This is highlighted by De Heer to
emphasise his values and privilege a point of view. When viewing the film,
it is important to consider the role the jaguar plays in the shaping of the
narrative.
1. What is the purpose of humanising the jaguar?
2. How does this connect to De Heers values what is he trying to
say?
3. Explain how this connects to the issues and beliefs discussed
through the post-colonial narrative.

The Old Man Who Read Love Stories

Key Quotes
El Idilio: It was so remote that it might be said it was at the end of the earth.
Antonio: ...possessed the antidote to old age.
You are not one of us, but you are like us. (Nushino to Antonio)
It was a kiss of impassioned intensity, a kiss to remember their lives by.
(Antonio, reading the end of the first novel in the film: To love and to be loved).
That is why you must go away sometimes, so that we can feel the sadness of
not being able to talk to you. (Nushino to Antonio)
The gods have accepted you, Antonio Bolivar. (Nushino to Antonio)
Jibaro dont need the dentist. Eating plenty monkey meat.
The jungle rots everything, even your memory. The mayor to Antonio
I am too old for the jungle but at least I can read.
Not thinking of starting a revolution, are you? The mayor to Antonio
Here is to great suffering and happy endings. Antonio drinking the rum
Now, lets go back and work out what that all means. Antonio, after reading the
first line of Lovers of the Forgotten Garden.
A grief-crazed jaguar is more dangerous than 20 murderers put together.
... in her small, animal brain, we all murdered her babies. We all smell the same
to her.
... shes getting subversive ideas.
Ideas?
Yes, Ideas.
Whats wrong with ideas?
They upset the natural order of things.
Shes hunting men now. Josefina? No, the jaguar.
There is a set of 5cm claws waiting for me in the jungle. (Antonio to Rubicondo)
A man who reads love stories and admits it is less of a fool than a man who
beats his wife thinking she loves it. (Josefina)
We do not hunt the jaguar... The white man hunter, carrying a gun, violates
death with the poison of pain. (Nushino)
Already done for, Cat!
The bible will rot your brain worse than the jungle will.
Reading... sometimes makes me forget the barbarity of man.
Everyone has his price, even you. (The mayor to Antonio)
You think its you shes after.

The words are clear to see, but the meaning is no more revealed than without
the glass.
Only heartache, helpless love and happy endings (Josefina to Antonio and
Rubicondo)
Come Old Man, has fear finally caught you?
Here I am. I am Antonio Bolivar and I have patience enough, my beauty.
(Antonio to the jaguar)
You already are what you are. You are a thunderbolt... nobody can tie down a
thunderbolt and nobody can take for his own the rapture of the other.
In the jungle, the one who survives is the one who moves.
Forgive me, my friend. That lousy gringo, he fucked us all up.
Antonio Bolivar. You are like us, but you are not one of us. You should have killed
him with a poisoned dart then all of his courage would have been captured in his
expression. How can I shrink that head, when in life it has been frozen into that
mask of fear and pain? My eternal misery.
I am Antonio Bolivar. I have come to capture your courage.
It was a kiss of impassioned intensity. A kiss to remember their lives by.

Useful Links:
The Age review of the film:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/10/1078594415343.html
Discussion from SBS:
http://www.sbs.com.au/films/movie/639/The-Old-Man-Who-Read-Love-Stories
Ross Huggard (Cranbourne Secondary College) and Rolf de Heer discussing the
film in the context of VCE Study Sunday school:
http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2012/05/sunday-school-the-old-man-who-readslove-stories.html
Interview with Rolf de Heer about making the film:
http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=8502&s=interviews
The Movie Show interview with Rolf de Heer:
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/2073641795/The-Old-Man-Who-ReadLove-Stories-Rolf-De-Heer
Discussion from The Age (Education):
http://education.theage.com.au/cmspage.php?intid=136&intversion=267
An article about sound in the film:
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/10464/1/10464.pdf
Lifes Big Questions interview with Rolf de Heer:
http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s3129922.htm
On Sound design:
http://sensesofcinema.com/2004/31/sound_design_rolf_de_heer/
De Heer, Rolf, Personal Reflections on Whiteness and Three Film Projects,
Australian Humanities Review, Issue 42, August-September 2007,
http://www.australianhumanitiesreview.org/archive/Issue-August-September2007/Deheer.html
Book a session at ACMI on the film (for VCE students):
http://www.acmi.net.au/ed_old_man_love_stories.aspx
Photos of the film http://www.screenrush.co.uk/films/film-29380/photos/detail/?
cmediafile=41862