The Vanished Elephant

2014

1h 49m

Mystery & Thriller

List

89%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

50+ Ratings

Edo remains obsessed with what happened to his fiance Celia after she disappeared during an earthquake. When an enigmatic woman beings him photos that may help him solve the mystery, he senses he is being drawn into a dangerous game.

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Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

The result is a stylish, inventive film that kept me intrigued, even as its story twisted so mightily I feared it might snap.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

[Javier] Fuentes-Leon's little gem is unpolished and rough around the edges but it shines brightly enough to be worth a couple hours' viewing time.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Leah Pickett

Chicago Reader

Fuentes-León leaves many narrative loose ends, but the film's surrealism enhances its meditation on the artist's creative process.

Feb 25, 2016

Full Review

Charles Mudede

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Rare is the metaphysical crime story that's more entertaining than a regular crime story.

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

Sebastian Zavala Kahn

Cinencuentro

With its complex storyline, high production values, solid script and well-developed symbolism, The Vanished Elephant is a unique Peruvian movie. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

José Teodoro

Cinema Scope

The closer we get to the resolution, however, the more airless the film becomes, until the very sense of loss driving the story is itself in danger of vanishing. But stick with it.

Oct 12, 2017

Full Review

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Audience Member

I am peruvian and i like me this movie. it is entertaining and intriguing

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of my favorite Peruvian movies along with La Mala Educación, El Acuarelista, La Boca del Lobo and Magallanes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I saw THE VANISHED ELEPHANT at the Toronto International Film Festival last September (2014). I am a fan of intelligent thrillers. I was lucky or clever enough to see 2 excellent films which I would describe as intelligent thrillers -- the Swedish film GENTLEMEN, which I recommended to kindred souls as a sophisticated political thriller full of twists and turns, and the Peruvian THE VANISHED ELEPHANT which was the cleverest film of the genre I had seen in many years. I dislike thrillers that are predictable. THE VANISHED ELEPHANT was so well conceived and realized that, I have no doubt, 99% of the audience were unable to 'solve the riddle'. A great film which I adored and continue to rave about.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

work of art, an amazing direction and amazing performances, I´ve not seen anything like that in Peru, a new begin for this Peruvian cinema in progress

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Seré breve al describir una de las mejores películas peruanas que he visto, Javier Fuentes de León nos muestra una historia intrigante, oscura en todo escena y narrativa. Un gran trabajo de actores, cada uno de ellos demuestra un potencial que nunca he visto (Tatiana Astengo se desenvuelve en cualquier genero y la considero una de las mejores actrices que tiene el país), Salvador Del Solar que al ser el protagonista nos adentra en el misterio y la búsqueda de la verdad, Lucho Cáceres se roba cada escena que aparece, y un reparto muy bien seleccionado (Angie Cepeda y Vanessa Saba están excelentes hermosas y misteriosas). La dirección es muy arriesgada pero logra que la historia de vida, jugar con la realidad no es algo fácil y el resultado es mejor de lo esperado. En pocas palabras no parece una película peruana, la historia mezcla intriga, reflexión, redención y más importante nos incita a pensar(algo que el peruano no está acostumbrado). No dejen que se la cuenten ni traten de adivinar lo que sucederá, véanla y déjense llevar por la historia. Que orgullo tengo de decir que esta gran película se hizo en mi país.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

El cine peruano hace algunos años producía un film por año y punto. Estos dos últimos años la producción se ha visto incrementada, muchos bodrios, en mi opinión, pero este año he espectado dos filmes que tuvieron una propuesta diferente. No sé si la taquilla fue generosa con ellos pero "Perro guardián" y "El elefante desaparecido" han sido dos propuestas interesantes y arriesgadas por ofrecer algo distinto, más allá del fácil recurso de la película de gags o de terror. Comentar el desarrollo del guión de "El elefante desaparecido" los privaría del placer de seguir el desenvolvimiento de los misterios del film, pero opino que es una historia que equipara y supera a la de muchos filmes extranjeros de este género. Mi atención no disminuyó durante las casi dos horas de proyección. Sobresalientes actuaciones de Salvador del Solar y Lucho Cáceres. Angie Cépeda sigue sin aprender actuación.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Javier Fuentes-León

Director

Salvador del Solar

Edo Celeste

Angie Cepeda

Mara de Barclay

Lucho Cáceres

Rafael Pineda

Vanessa Saba

Celia Espinoza

Andrés Parra

Ferrer

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Synopsis

Edo remains obsessed with what happened to his fiance Celia after she disappeared during an earthquake. When an enigmatic woman beings him photos that may help him solve the mystery, he senses he is being drawn into a dangerous game.

Director: Javier Fuentes-León
Producer: Cristian Conti, Miguel Valladares
Screenwriter: Javier Fuentes-León
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 49m

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