This is the last movie which we watched during the European Union Film Festival. It was simply shaking, if that is the right words to describe the experience.
The film is about a promising writer who has lost her inspiration to write. As she lives from day to day, she feels frustrated because she thinks that she can only read but not write. One day, she was asked to write an article about the Spanish Civil War. After the article was published, she received several letters. Some were harsh but some were encouraging. Then came this person who not only praised her for her excellent writing but also provided her a breakthrough. He managed to find her a book (which I cannot remember the title) on the writings of Rafael Sánchez Mazas. As she began to discover more about this character, she came upon Miralles, the soldier who gave Rafael the chance to escape execution during the Spanish Civil War. No one remembered him although Rafael's writing did include his escape experience. The film was marvellous. I remember vividly Miralles dancing to Paso Doblo in the rain as he sang. It was a period of uncertainty and fear. Yet, his actions brought smiles to the faces of the POWs, albeit they knew somewhere deep inside that they do not have much time to appreciate the droplets of rain they see.
While the history of the Spanish Civil War was being brought out through the scenes, what came across very strongly to me was the passion that the main character, Lola Cercas, had. She was thrown into one of her deepest and darkest periods of her life. Yet, somehow, she found interest in the character of Miralles and moved on to uncover the events which happened many years ago. As she uncovered the layers, she uncovered her true self as she becomes immersed in the entire chronology of events. Se felt the hurt, the happiness, the loneliness and hopelessness that Miralles felt throughout his life. Imagine being alone all these years after going through such dramatic and turmultous time during the War. As a young lad who joined the civil war purely to fulfil his father's wish, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. All he could think of was to make his father happy by taking his place in the historical event. He tried to keep his sanity and make sense of what was going on. He was an innocent young man whose heart was filled with love and innocence. Yet, the war showed him the other side of what he thought he knew. The conflicting scenes and feelings and emotions. How can one go through that? How can one even survive?
How can I put into words the very strong emotions I felt when I watched the film? It felt so real and close!
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A successful young novelist who has lost her inspiration, makes her living as a teacher and a journalist. Her latest assignment is to investigate a true story that took place at the end of the Civil War involving the infamous writer and ideological fascist, Rafael Sánchez Mazas. She discovers that he was to be murdered in a mass execution, but managed to escape with the help of an anonymous young soldier. The novelist gradually pieces together this story, riddled with contradictions and enigmatic characters. Unwittingly, as her search progresses, it is not only about finding the truth that she is after, but finding herself as well.
Source: http://www.festival-cannes.fr/films/fiche_film.php?langue=6002&id_film=4085306
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