I watched this for the first time when it first came out in Spain and I was equally enchanted by this film when I watched it recently.
The cinematography is beautiful and every sound/silence fits so well. I really enjoyed the (perhaps overly explicit) symbolism of the dove for peace and emancipation which both closeted protagonists are searching for.
Equally, what I found interesting was their performance of romance with each other - as Carmen says on the coach at the end, it's "just like the movies". Interestingly, they seem to develop their romance through reenacting other movies. For example, the empty swimming pool sequence was very 'La Niña Santa' for me. Secondly, when Carmen laid her head on Lola's lap in the alleyway scene, this was very The Fault In Our Stars for me. Finally, the desire for emancipation and escape through going to the seaside was very resonant of Les 400 Coups - also linking with the fact she had just 'lost' her mother.
I was impressed, and overwhelmed, with the way in which this film built up in tension which made the family confrontation both shocking and very emotional. It is a controversial statement which addresses such homophobia in certain communities and I feel it presents the issue pretty well.
Overall, a beautifully constructed film addressing minority communities and 'taboo' subjects in such communities. I would absolutely recommend!
The cinematography is beautiful and every sound/silence fits so well. I really enjoyed the (perhaps overly explicit) symbolism of the dove for peace and emancipation which both closeted protagonists are searching for.
Equally, what I found interesting was their performance of romance with each other - as Carmen says on the coach at the end, it's "just like the movies". Interestingly, they seem to develop their romance through reenacting other movies. For example, the empty swimming pool sequence was very 'La Niña Santa' for me. Secondly, when Carmen laid her head on Lola's lap in the alleyway scene, this was very The Fault In Our Stars for me. Finally, the desire for emancipation and escape through going to the seaside was very resonant of Les 400 Coups - also linking with the fact she had just 'lost' her mother.
I was impressed, and overwhelmed, with the way in which this film built up in tension which made the family confrontation both shocking and very emotional. It is a controversial statement which addresses such homophobia in certain communities and I feel it presents the issue pretty well.
Overall, a beautifully constructed film addressing minority communities and 'taboo' subjects in such communities. I would absolutely recommend!