elmar

Three adolescents in Spain, friends
since childhood, confront both the
horrors of wartime and desires of the
flesh in their struggle to transcend the
past and be free. Plenty of male
nudity, homoeroticism and a climactic
gay kiss highlight this difficult film.

REVIEW

Disturbingly violent, very homoerotic,
gorgeously photographed and at
times, poetic, El Mar is an excellent
portrait of a troubled, violent young
man and the consequences of his
actions. Filled with plenty of male
nudity and an overwhelming essence
of homoeroticism, El Mar is a difficult
journey that might pay off handsomely
for you guys who can stick out the
bloody and difficult themes.

As children during the Spanish Civil
War, Andreu Ramallo, Manuel Tur and
their friend Francisca live in a world of
political assassinations and suspicion
between neighbors. When the father of
one child is found to be involved with
the assassination of another the lives
of these three children are changed
forever. Ramallo murders one of the
children with his own hands and throws
a rock at Francisca's head. The
tragedy marks the children, who
silently carry the secret into their
adulthood.

Years later, the three meet again as
young adults at a tubercular
sanatorium. Ramallo and Manuel have
both been admitted as patients and
Francisca is a nun in the hospital.
Having so far averted the worst
ravages of this epidemic, Ramallo and
Manuel face other torments in their
close quarters. Ramallo, who has
spent many of his growing years as a a
prostitute and assistant to a
middle-aged drug runner, chafes
under the attentions of the callous
older man. Now that he is in the
hospital, he seeks release from this
exploitative relationship. Sensitive
Manuel has sought solace from past
and present horrors in an intense,
religious devotion with which he
attempts to repress his homosexuality
and his desires for his old friend,
Ramallo. Only Francisca the nun
knows the darkest secrets her friends
harbor, and she tells no one save God.

Director Agustin Villaronga
authentically invests this strange,
beautiful story with an edgy intensity.
Featuring excellent performances, and
superbly atmospheric cinematography,
the film compellingly evokes a time and
place. (Catalan with English subtitles)
Scott Cranin