The Old Man Who Read Love Stories

In the tiny village of Idilio, buried deep in the jungle on the bank of a small Amazon tributary, lives 60 year old Antonio Bolivar (Richard Dreyfuss). Antonio has lived most of his life in the jungle and knows it intimately. A recluse, he has discovered a quiet passion for romantic tales, which he reads with great appetite. He shares this preoccupation with a local servant girl, Josefina (Cathy Tyson), and together, through their common interest, they are falling in love.

The visiting Dentist (Hugo Weaving), a swaggering lothario with questionable medical skills, becomes Antonio's confidant, procuring romantic novels and encouraging Antonio's advances toward Josefina.

But all is not tranquil in this remote, uncivilized corner of the world. Outsiders have intruded, killing a jaguar's cubs and upsetting the fragile balance between man and nature. Now, seeking her revenge, the enraged mother jaguar begins killing humans, apparently at random. El Idilio's Mayor, (Timothy Spall), known locally as "the Slimy Toad", decides something must be done and organizes a hunting party.

And so begins a trek, an adventure, a dangerous duel. All the while, Antonio and the jaguar circle and approach each other with great stealth. The hunt becomes a prism through which Antonio reconciles his past and stares into the face of his own fear. The stakes are raised and the confrontation - single combat between man and animal - will be final.

"This film, of all the films I've made, most closely represents something of the essence of who I am. It accurately reflects my sensibilities as a human being."
-Rolf de Heer

"a deeply evocative experience."
-Marta Jary, FILMINK

"I just loved this film."
-Simon Bailey, ABC Radio Perth

"The film has a softly spoken power that manifests as the title character's literal journey becomes increasingly metaphoric. Nicely shot and performed..."
-INFILM Australia

Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Timothy Spall, Hugo Weaving, Cathy Tyson, Victor Bottenbley, Federico Celada, Luis Hostalot, and Guillermo Toledo.

Directed by Rolf de Heer.

All Regions - Widescreen 16:9 - Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - Colour - 111 Minutes - PAL

Includes:
-Behind the Scenes Featurette
-Q&A with Rolf de Heer and Hugo Weaving
-Rolf de Heer Trailer Reel