The Blindness of the Woods

Synopsis:
A blind woman living in the woods. The winter is cold, especially when you are alone. Then, one day a blond, strong woodcutter knocks on her door. And her senses revive, as she rediscovers the joys of love and sex. Described in this way, it sounds like the weak plot of the soppiest novel ever. Instead, this is a hilarious "soft-porn"film, full of references to Russ Meyer (even in the credits) and to German erotic productions of the 70s, as well as to Todd Haynes' Far From Heaven. With the not insignificant detail that the characters are real people dress up as puppets...
Built dually upon a Scandinavian cultural heritage of fairytales and the 70s blue-film sensuality, The Blindness of the Woods is director Martin Jalfen’s attempt at "cute porn." It is winter in the Kiruna Woods in the far north of Sweden. A blind girl expresses vague despair about how the freezing forest and imminent polar night have no effect on her interminably dark and lonely existence. When the blond man who has watched her walking home knocks on her door one night, she feels his face to test for recognition, then proceeds symbolically to caress his bundle of sticks. Things heat up; the two are next seen curing their loneliness as best they know how. The catch: they are both body puppets, knit creations replete with yarn genitalia showcased in full-frontal. Hysterical and creepy, the film achieves a middle ground between the cute and erotic. With humanistic emotions and machinations, the puppets gain a realism wholly defiant of their fabrication. The humorously dark finale twists rote Nordic folktale tradition.

Awards:
Canal+ Award, 2009 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival

About the directors:
Martín Jalfen, co-founder and director at Amautalab. He used to work as an "amazing" copywriter and creative director in different ad agencies, such as Publicis Capurro, Pragma FCB, DDB Argentina, Grupo Gallegos (Los Angeles) and La Comunidad. His background comes from advertising, screenwriting and painting. He won "super important advertising awards several times" such as Cannes, D&AD, Clio, One Show. His work as a director was screened at different festivals such as Resfest, Pictoplasma, Berlin Porn Festival, Flux at the Hammer Museum. He's planning to win an Oscar in the next year.
Filmography:
2006, Cookies
2006, Resfest Buenos Aires Opening
2007, Amaral-revolución
2007, Anne Laplantine - You And Me
2007, Tokyo Now Opening
2008, The Blindness Of The Woods

Javier Lourenço joined Amautalab as a director after following 11 years of expertise in advertising as an art and creative director in companies such as Del Campo/Nazca Saatchi&Saatchi, DDB, Euro ESCG, El Cielo Agulla & Baccetti. As a director, his work was selected at festivals such as Pictoplasma, Resfest, Berlin Porn Festival and Flux. In advertising Javier created successfull award-winning campaigns for a large number of clients including Toyota, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Esso, Telefonica, Procter&Gamble and Danone among others. His more than 100 advertising awards include CannesLions, Clio, One Show & AD&D, among others. In 2006 he created and developed "The Uncoolhunter" project that worships the "un-trendy".
Filmography:
2006, How To Be A Happy Human Being
2007, Amaral-revolución
2007, Tokyo Now Opening
2008, The Blindness Of The Woods

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