BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (2022)
Existential journey of a celebrated filmmaker; perfect for fans of introspective dramas like "Birdman" or "The Revenant."
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Cast
- Cast member 1
- Cast member 2
- Cast member 3
- Cast member 4
- Cast member 5
- Cast member 6
- Cast member 7
- Cast member 8
- Cast member 9
- Cast member 10

Your Status
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths(2022)
Where to Watch
subscription
Overview
A renowned Mexican journalist and documentary filmmaker living in Los Angeles, after being named the recipient of a prestigious international award, is compelled to return to his native country, unaware that this simple trip will push him to an existential limit.
My Friends' Ratings
None of your friends have rated this yet.
Cast
Full Cast & Crew
Daniel Giménez Cacho
Silverio Gama

Griselda Siciliani
Lucía

Íker Sánchez Solano
Lorenzo

Ximena Lamadrid
Camila

Luz Jiménez
Mamá

Luis Couturier
Papá

Francisco Rubio
Luis Baldivia

Andrés Almeida
Martín

Clementina Guadarrama
Hortensia

Jay O. Sanders
Ambassador Jones

Noé Hernández
El Ajolote

Fabiola Guajardo
Tania

Mar Carrera
Lucero

Rubén Zamora
Hermano Silverio

Omar Leyva
Mexican American Officer

Grace Shen
Chinese American Supervisor

Edison Ruiz
Cinico

Daniel Damuzi
Antonio

Alex Guevara
Doctor

Misha Arias De La Cantolla
Interruptor
Featured Comments/Tips
There is no question that Alejandro G. Iñárritu is a great director. But that doesn't change the fact that I was unable to connect with "Bardo" for the majority of the time. To my shame, I have to confess that at many points I didn't understand exactly what I was watching. Iñárritu stages many moments in a truly amazing way and shows the full extent of his creativity. At the same time, he was probably a bit self-indulgent and pretentious while making this film. Almost every scene drifts into surrealism, making it extremely difficult to even begin to follow the plot (at least that's how I experienced it). The plot is also unfocused. The extremely long runtime along with the jumbled plot are really not a good combination. I haven't seen a movie as exhausting as "Bardo" in a long time. At least the finale managed to grab my attention, though. Except for a few impressive moments, the latest work of the master director is truly a disappointment. At this point in his career, Iñárritu has, of course, earned the right to make the films he is most passionate about. But I personally prefer his earlier works far more.
"I am fine. I'm just sad! And that's okay, feeling sad is good for you sometimes." BARDO is an experimental film, loosely a semi-autobiographical drama from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, which feels like an existential crisis. By becoming an American citizen and trying to fit into a country that has yet to value you, so you change your ways and lose your identity. I understand that Iñárritu's films are not for everyone, but this movie deserves much better.
My expectations were high but as it progressed it got worse, what a horrible movie, pretending to be a surreal work.
[Netflix] The acceptance of the approaches of this film is proportional to the way in which Iñárritu's cinema is accepted as a show that is less superficially banal than it seems. Picking up the psychological/surreal look of "Birdman or (The unexpected virtue of ignorance)" (2014), it achieves less identification with the protagonist, although it is understood that it is a more personal film, but with a very Italian texture (echoes of Fellini and Sorrentino are seen), in which He describes his concerns about creation, the halfway point between fiction and reality, his own unease about being nowhere when the decision to be an immigrant is made, and the tragedy of losing a child. But these ramblings of the Mexican privileged class seem trivial and predictable, hardly interesting despite the condition of his personal confession. The responsibility as director, co-writer, editor and even composer of the soundtrack is so personal that, this time, the formal elaboration, the extraordinary photography of Darius Khondji or the humanist interpretation of the great Daniel Giménez-Cacho have nothing to do to avoid boredom.
I'm a fan of the filmmaker and surreal cinema so I really enjoyed it. I can see why the average Netflix subscriber will hate it, though.
It goes a bit too much towards the end, but still has 2 hours that are pretty fun. Important thing to note is that the movie got 20 minutes cut after its festival run (the cut was announced September 22) so I can't say how much it affected the end product and the reviews that it has gotten (I've watched the 159 minute version that most likely will be the one avaliable on Netflix in December)
Featured User Reviews
" Only Mexicans can turn this disgraceful defeat, into mitic victory ". A Brutal Masterpiece, A sensorial experience, watching Bardo is experience a brutal portrait of a estate of mind, is a trip around memories and dreams, in a better way to call it a recollection of memories and experiences. Really worth checking out,
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/bardo-spoiler-free-review-lff-2022 "Bardo works best when it focuses on the dynamics between father, mother, and children regarding immigration and how this drastic life change impacts each member of the family nucleus. Alejandro G. Iñárritu takes advantage of all the awe-inspiring technical elements to build a story worthy of the big screen but lacks tonal consistency and narrative control. "Historical" recreations with q.b. Surrealism only makes the runtime feel heavier, and if it wasn't for Darius Khondji's superb cinematography along with exceptional set and sound design, this film would have been in trouble. Fortunately, there's a lot more to be enjoyed than to feel frustrated." Rating: B
My expectations weren't high when I walked into the theater to see this movie; I'm not a fan of Iñárritu's cinema. And it came as a surprise to me how much I enjoyed the movie. It is about the very personal vision (which Rome was for Cuarón) of what Mexico is for him as a director. So, in a dream structure with a non-linear narrative, he talks about his vision of history, politics, society, technology, grief, upbringing, migration. Each topic has its screen time (hence the title, "...of a handful of truths"). It is visually mesmerizing with the photography, the production design, the costumes, the choreography. It is absurd because it wants to be. It makes fun of itself (it reminded me of Scream) and anticipates what's going to happen without somehow ruining it for you. It is like a contemporary postcard of Mexico in the form of a cinema. One thing I like about literature is that there are many things that a camera will never capture. And something I love about cinema is that there are things that a pen can never express. Bardo is one of those movies that can't express the idea of it in any other way than through a movie. And although there were two or three missing ends to connect some scenes and themes, it seemed like a pretty good piece of work. I recommend it? I do not know. I see that it is not suitable for everyone. On IMDB its score is 7.4, while on trakt it is 64. Very probably Iñárritu's point of view on some (or all) topics generates annoyance, detachment or criticism; but I identified with his perspective in several of them, and perhaps this has been the reason for my enjoyment.
You might also like...

A Snake of June
2003

Arizona Dream
1993

Barking Dogs Never Bite
2000

Biutiful
2010

Captain Pantoja and the Special Services
1999

He Was a Quiet Man
2007

High Heels
1991

Last Flag Flying
2017

Rudo & Cursi
2008

The Dark Side of the Heart
1992

The Last Elvis
2012

War Dogs
2016

Annette
2021

Official Competition
2021

A Different Man
2024

Maria
2024

Waiting for Dali
2023

Wilfred
2011

Valeria
2020

Control Z
2020

Palm Royale
2024

Vgly
2023

Love You to Death
2025

Furia
2025

Truth Seekers
2020
Videos
Leave a Comment/Tip
Write a Review
Set Alert
We'll notify you when BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths becomes available on:
Report an Issue
What's wrong with this page?
Create New List
Examples:
- Sci-Fi Classics
- Date Night Movies
- Shows to Watch with Kids
- Award Winners
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths Poster

Select Your Region
Choose your region to see available streaming services and content in your area.


