Waiting For Women

In the Spanish village of Riofrio there is a severe shortage of women and the single men have organised a “caravana”, a convoy of women who are up for a party and, as one hopeful guy puts it: “Maybe a long-term relationship.”

Some beautiful establishing shots show the sleepy nature of the village and one lonely man doing the “women’s work” of taking his washing in from the line. Then it’s all action as the men set to work cleaning up the place, especially the village hall, where the crucial eating, drinking and dancing will happen. Some 36 men and 50 women have registered for the event. One man is negotiating on the phone to make sure the women will be young ones. Thirty to 45 is the agreed age range.

This first part of the film is the funniest, as the old women of the village look on and comment on how it will all end in tears. In one delightful shot, two men are discussing their plans when in the background a bent old woman in black appears round the corner of a building, leans forward inquisitively, then backs away in disgust. How much this was contrived we don’t know, but all credit to Wagner for some wonderful silent comedy.

In another scene, two of the men are seen buying trousers. They insist on tight ones because they “want to look hot”, but eventually have to settle for the boring ones on offer.

When the big day arrives, the coach disgorges some very ordinary women, most of whom look about ten years beyond the agreed age. The men seem to be the ones who have made the greatest effort. Some of the women dance without even taking their coats off, as if it’s hardly worth stopping. Inevitably it all gets a bit queasy.

Wagner knows just where to place his camera to get the most interesting shots and just how long to leave it there. In the faces of bystanders he captures that universal moment when you realise that the best part of a party was the planning and it’s not going to get any better.

The whole enterprise is framed by the singing of the village drunkard, whom everyone despises and who scrubs up surprisingly well. In fact he seems to be the only one who scores.

This is a charming film and I look forward to seeing more of this Chilean/German director’s work.