The Smoking Fish
| The Smoking Fish | |
|---|---|
| Spanish | El Pez que Fuma |
| Directed by | Román Chalbaud |
| Written by | Román Chalbaud (play and screenplay) José Ignacio Cabrujas |
| Produced by | Gente de Cine C.A. |
| Starring | Miguel Ángel Landa Orlando Urdaneta Hilda Vera Haydée Balza Claudio Brook |
Release date |
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Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | Venezuela |
| Language | Spanish |
The Smoking Fish (Spanish: El Pez que Fuma) is a 1977 Venezuelan film directed by Román Chalbaud. The film takes place in La Guaira, in the titular brothel. It is considered by many to represent a high point in Venezuelan cinema, and was made during the Golden Age of Venezuelan cinema.
The story reflects the social reality of Venezuela; it features the poverty and crime but does not make them the centre of the story. It also uses its score as symbolism, something considered novel. Chalbaud describes it as a very character-driven film, and it is structured as a traditional melodrama.
In 2016, the film was screened for its 40th anniversary at Cinemateca Nacional de Venezuela del Museo de Bellas Artes.