Afternoons of Solitude (2024) review

Catalan provocateur Serra records Peruvian bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey as he prepares for his upcoming battles: he prays a lot (which is completely understandable), rides around with his loyal team in a van (who offer him numerous compliments like good friends should do), takes on several ferocious beasts in the ring and, on multiple occasions, almost meets his Maker.  Staying true to his minimalist aesthetic, Serra refuses to include any information about the violent 'sport' itself or his subject's background which may aggravate viewers unfamiliar with his filmography, but the approach makes for a harrowing visual experience, and all that remains is a brave human repeatedly willing to risk his life in order to entertain an audience (and achieve glory in the process).  Even though Roca says very little, he's actually flamboyant in the arena with his exaggerated facial expressions and frisky movements: he's (rightfully) terrified, but there's an otherworldly sense of bravery (or is that insanity?) to him.  Surely there are easier ways to make a living....