Documentary Competition review - ONCE UPON A DREAM - JOURNEY TO THE LAST SPAGHETTI WESTERN by Tonislav Hristov

Once upon a time in an Andalusian village...the main subject of the latest work by Tonislav Hristov, Once Upon a Dream - Journey to the Last Spaghetti Western was presented in the Documentary competition of the 50th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Spaghetti western fans will be aware of the fact that a lot of the genre's productions were shot in a Spanish Andalusian village named Tabernas. However, non spaghetti western fans need not worry, as Once Upon a Dream - Journey to the Last Spaghetti Western is not your typical documentary attending the thirst for trivia of film buffs. 

Filmmaker Tonislav Hristov, in his follow up to his highly successful previous documentary Love and Engineering, makes a purposeful choice of looking at the human aspect of the story. Hence, the film is mostly rooted in the present, while the glorious past of the village is reminesced upon by the colourful characters who still inhabit it. Furthermore, the filmmaker also looks upon the new generations and the way in which the history of their home impacts their everyday lives - particularly the way in which the village capitalises on it with its many themed bars and various attractions, while most youngsters struggle to even name a title from the exciting cinematic trend from decades ago.

The main bulk of the narrative of Once Upon a Dream is provided by the much publicised return to the village of Claudia Cardinale, who had previously been there as the star of the Sergio Leone masterpiece Once Upon a Time in the West. The news stirs much excitement among the people of Tabernas, even those who do not know who she is. Once Upon a Dream was in fact supposed to be the story of a film production inspired by the spaghetti western genre, and despite the fact that in the end this production did not end up materialising, it's obvious that this documentary is more than capable of standing on its own two feet. 

It is hence delightful to be introduced to such fascinating characters, a lot of whom were extras or played bit parts in the films. One of them even claims to be Henry Fonda's illegitimate son. All throughout there is a feeling of warmth and delightful entertainment as we experience first hand life in the tightknit community of Tabernas, a wonderful resort in a desertic setting. There's something magical about it, something timeless that makes it seem unique beyond its cinematic past. And Hristov, through this documentary, is highly succesful in capturing its charm and appeal with a hint of nostalgia unspoiled by voice overs or factual chronicling and heavy historical references.