Two .45 caliber bullets and a lot of patience

 La Tinta de Almansa

By Victor Gil

June 24, 2023

Review of "Two Bullets for the Devil" by Manuel Olaya.

Two people and one destination. Two .45 caliber bullets and a lot of patience. Two days of recording and an authentic short film of first quality. "Two Bullets for the Devil" is the latest work of the Almanseño director Manuel Olaya. A short film that perfectly combines the right tension, the interesting story and the magnificent and entertaining style of the Western.

In this short film, with just one look and one gesture, the tension rises steadily and gradually. In this way, Olaya ensures that the viewer does not want to blink a single millisecond.

"Two Bullets for the Devil" by Manuel Olaya

We are talking about a work that is consumed as easily as you can drink a glass of water (the body asks for more at the end), although it leaves one satisfied because its aroma rather reminds one of a tasty Scotch whiskey. Manuel Olaya has managed to compose a team of professionals who know how to treat with excellence each frame, each cinematographic intention and each sound effect.

We must highlight the voiceover of Alfredo Díaz, the spectacular, enveloping and exciting soundtrack of David Miralles. The details of Herminio Hernández in the props, Paulino Ruano painting a spectacular cover following the photography of Andy Arche, as well as the successful treatment of color and photography. All this added together makes "Two Bullets for the Devil" one of the best productions that Olaya has made so far.

As it could not be otherwise, apart from offering an interesting and heartbreaking story, Manuel Olaya continues with his neat style when it comes to respecting each and every one of the historical details, which generate a unique atmosphere with which we are instantly transported to the unique setting of the Far West. Great blame for this also has the Oasis MiniHollywood of Almeria, place where Olaya already one of the family, is someone to take into account.

But the greatest value of Olaya lies in his brilliant ability to create stories and his ability to capture them on tape. In this case, with "Two Bullets for the Devil", the Almanseño director serves us tension, rage, fear, elegance, honor and emotional outcome. Nothing to do with his work "Silence" where Olaya explored other more bizarre and extravagant narratives, in this short we return to the pure western, to the value of accurate simplicity.

A detail that Almansa will like

In the course of history, a picture appears that makes sense when everything reaches the outcome. That painting, of which we will not tell anything more so as not to eviscerate the argument, presided over an Almanseña house in the area of the Cabilas.

In this way, Almansa is still very present in Olaya's work, not only on a human level, since many of those who participate have been baptized with the water of Zucaña, but also in the material and sentimental field.

Without a doubt, we recommend "Two Bullets for the Devil", you will be left wanting more to see how Olaya continues to grow at all levels.

Dos ballas para el diablo – Spanish title

Dos ballas para el diablo: la leyenda de Thomas Cavendish

Two Bullets for the Devil – English title

Two Bullets for the Devil: The Legend of Thomas Cavendish

 

A 2022 Spanish short film production [Rl Lamento Films (Madrid)]

Producer: Jose Guijarro

Director: Manuel Olaya (Manuel Muñoz)

Story: Jose Gluarro

Screenplay: Jose Gluarro

Cinematography: Nacho Bermejo [color]

Music: David Miralles

Running time:

 

Cast:

Quique Durio, Pedro Lopez, Laura Felices Antonio Olaya