An embalmer is a person who temporarily preserves and beautifies a corpse so that it may be ready for a funeral procession. It is a job I don't think I could ever handle. Apart from the natural squeamish reaction to the autopsies and the handling of a dead body, I think I would be overcome with sadness to see what's left of a person with no life left in them. But it is a job that needs to be done, and much respect to those who perform this job with much care and attention. This documentary shows the everyday life of Froilan Orozco, an embalmer working in the poor areas of Columbia. This area is filled with violence and rubbish, human life is wasted every day. Where poverty is high, there is a general feeling of hopelessness. But despite it all, Orozco worked everyday, and during his lifetime, embalmed more than 50,000 corpses for an exceptionally cheap price. He cared more about the corpses he was preparing then about his own health. Orozco was an exceptional man. I can't imagine many jumping the gun to watch this movie. It's harsh, it's unflinching, it's depressing. The camera does not shy away from the practise of embalming, it shows it in full detail again and again, all the while, listening to the wisdom's of Orozco as he talks about his job, life and death. Those who struggle with the harsh realities of life will no doubt struggle watching this movie. But, it's a movie which I highly recommend. This film is not exploitative, but it's honest film making. You watch this movie for Orozco. It's his compassion and care for his work that makes this very depressing movie, almost seem beautiful. An old man putting as much care as he can into death, it's really quite touching. No doubt there are many people who cut corners in this type of field. The movie Aftermath shows an extreme example as such. But a man like Orozco really inspires such admiration. He is the reason to watch this documentary. He brings a certain optimism to an incredibly bleak and depressing reality. It's hard to recommend this to anyone, but it is a flick that I recommend just the same. Cinema doesn't get more powerful than this. A man like Orozco is truly one of a kind. I hope I am treated with as much respect after death as those he cared for.

I just watched this movie last night for the first time and wow, what an experience that was.First off, this is a very well done documentary about an embalmer in the poorest parts of Columbia. The overall sense of filth and grime in this movie make it all that more appealing/appalling for the audience. I learned of this film through the blogs of extreme horror fans but this little gem is on a shelf by itself. There are no depictions of glorified violence, no stunts, no gimmicks, just matter-of-fact filming of what happens in the poorest neighborhoods after you die.Most people wouldn't be able to handle, let alone like, this film but it is a very real take on life and death. Life is not always a happy ending and we all end up dead one day. Sometimes it's good to face that to appreciate life just a little more.If you have a good nerve and want to see what happens after you die, check this out. If you have a weak stomach, I'd probably pass this one over.8/10*

The story of Orozco, an embalmer in Columbia. Located in a poor and crime riddled village, Orzco provides his services for people on the downside of life. We watch as bodies are brought in to his shop and he prepares them for their funerals. As Orozco works he talks about life, his job and the people he serves. We also get to see another embalmer in the same town at work.Clearly not for all tastes...rather most tastes, this is an in your face matter of fact document of the work of one man preparing the dead for burial. There is no cutaways, no trick shots, nothing to hide the work on the earth remains of those brought in (The film was shot on one video camera which is just pointed to record what was happening in front of it. There are no fancy anything, just a stepped up "home movie"). If you don't want to see how bodies are prepared for burial in a poor country do not see this film (its very graphic with literally blood and guts and other things). What you see is, in all probability, is a variation as to what may happen to you or a loved one one day and if you don't want to see what that entails don't look. Its tough going.Listed by some as a horror film, the film really isn't (though what happens maybe considered horrific). This is a document of the work of a man who cares for his the people he services. You see the care he takes with each person making them look better in death then they may have looked in life. I was shocked to see how a body looking more like a doll would come in and in the time its in Orozco's hands the whole demeanor would change from thing back into a person seemingly asleep.As you watch the film the embalming falls away and all that remains is the man himself.Orozco the man is the reason to watch the film, not the shocking images. He seems to have been a very nice man (he died after the film was completed) who seems to have been made more than a bit sad by his job and his surroundings. His take on life is unique and understandable and what ever you call it, dark, bleak, sad, it is in many ways more real than that of the lives we see on TV or in our daily interactions.As the film went on I kept wondering if I will be lucky enough to have someone as caring as Orozco work on me when I pass over. Its a strange thought, but one can't help but ponder when viewing a film as stark as this about the end of life.Recommended for those with strong constitutions and wishing to see a intriguing portrait of a man at work.