Tim Kidner Having now seen all six of Medem's DVDs in his Spanish released "Collection", I was worried that this last one, would be rubbish. Other reviews and reviewers hint at such but I found it utterly intense and mesmerising.Anyone having seen more than one of Julio's films knows that logic often disappears and an adult fantasy awaits. Beautiful sexuality, strange and exotic visuals, stunning landscapes and a chequerboard of interlocking story pieces that sometimes sort of connect. I loved not knowing what was going to happen next, or who Ana's next incarnation was going to be.Instead of trying to make sense of it all, just light a candle of two, turn out the lights and let it overwhelm you. This is a director of immense imagination and he has the guts to follow them through and onto film. The ravishing paintings done by his late sister alone are worth seeing.Here in the U.K., I've not seen any of the regular actors of Medem's in any other director's films. So, it was nice to see the reassuring maturity of Charlotte Rampling and her character as the Patron of the Arts that takes Ana under her wing perfect for her and she plays it superbly, of course. Chaotic Ana isn't my favourite Medem flick, The Red Squirrel is. All his films are quite long and meandering and it is this unpredictability and superb visual tapestry that makes me rate him so highly.

Imdbidia Chaotic Ana is Julio Medem's ode to the female and the myths of the motherland. Despite some bloody and shocking scenes, is also an ode against male violence, wars, and those individuals who starts them; however, the film also shows a blind faith in the good of human kind, despite the tragedies and havoc that we create and surround us. Moreover, Chaotic Ana is both a reflection on death and the void left by the departed - Medem's tribute to his late sister Anne. The film is also an invitation to see Art as a form of individual expression, a timeless biography of the living, and a living legacy of the deceased.In his odyssey of discovery of The Female, Medem takes us from the cave to the skyscraper, with the ocean as an element of continuity.This is a very intimate, personal film that touches universal themes and myths(from Oedipus and Electra to primitive matriarchal mythologies) to share personal experiences, feelings and ideas that relate to Women and the Female.The editing is complex and very dynamic. Every single small detail in the film has an intrinsic connection with the story, is part of it, not as an object, but as object that conveys meaning. I especially liked some of visual shows shown in the House of the Artists.The film continuously unsettles the viewer. However, the violent, shocking and sex scenes have a purpose within the story.The actors are all OK in the movie. But this is not a movie for the actors to shine, but a movie in which the script, the story, is what matters. The actors are here just as Medem's "mediums". In fact, Medem has curated this film to the smallest detail.You cannot watch this movie as if you were watching a normal movie, not in the same mood, or with the same intention or attention. This film requires of you 1/ A willingness to let the odd, the chaos and surprise express themselves freely. 2/ To embrace Medem's personal story being shared with you. 3/ An attention to the detail. 4/ Have into account that this film is personal as it is related to the figure of Medem's late sister, who was also a remarkable painter, and that many of the references and scenes in the film are related to her.Movies like this are a challenge for the viewer and are never popular or highly rated. But this is just a sign that most people don't watch movies, just see them.

Claudio Carvalho The teenager artist Ana (Manuela Vellés) is raised in Ibiza by her German father Klaus (Matthias Habich) in a naturalist lifestyle in a cave. One day, she meets a woman called Justine (Charlotte Rampling) that invites Ana to move to Madrid, offering education and economical support, to live in an old house with other artists having classes of Arts and with the only commitment of studying. Ana befriends her mate Linda (Bebe) and falls in love for the problematic Said (Nicolas Cazalé), having her first sexual experience with him. After a period together, Said leaves Ana, and then she is hypnotized by Anglo (Asier Newman), discovering her past lives and deaths.The first work of Julio Meden that I watched was the wonderful "Los Amantes del Círculo Polar" on 29 December 2000. Then, on 10 June 2005, I saw the extremely erotic, weird and confusing but also intriguing "Lucía y el Sexo" that I actually liked. I was looking forward waiting to see another work of this cult director, and I have just watched "Caótica Ana". I found a surrealistic original story, supported by a gorgeous and sexy actress with a lovely smile that exposes her naked body very easily and for free along the feature, and a wonderful cinematography, with beautiful landscapes and scenarios. Unfortunately the screenplay is a boring and chaotic mess, and the conclusion is awful. In the end, "Caótica Ana" is a disappointing movie from a director that I had great expectations. My vote is three.Title (Brazil): "Caótica Ana" ("Chaotic Ana")

ben-in-france Visually, the movie is beautiful. Wonderful landscapes and light throughout, as always with Medem.In terms of the story, it's not very clear, a bit too mental to make sense. I enjoyed it until she got to New York and Said just re-appears like that, and what is that about the Irak war?? Suddenly, the story turned a bit too 'real' to make sense.Good acting all round, though some characters are undeveloped: Charlotte Rampling's, the cute hypnotist etc...Some strikingly beautiful moments though - Ana's recollection of dying in the desert (quite violent though), the animations, Ana dancing with her father etc...