SUMMER 1993

This film screens at the Spanish Film Festival which celebrates 20 years of presenting some of the world’s finest Spanish language films to local movie-goers. The national festival showcases a program of 38 Australian premieres which includes a mix of dramas, comedies and documentaries that should stimulate and culturally enrich the audience’s movie going experience.

With the inclusion of opening/closing night events, flamingo shows and special guests, this two week fiesta should prove to be a favourite event amongst film festival enthusiasts.

Lovers of art house cinema should attend screenings of Summer 1993, a drama centering on a six year old girl named Frida who, after the death of her parents, relocates from Barcelona to the Catalan provinces to live with her Uncle and Aunty.

With minimal emotion the film explores how the little girl adapts to her new life and especially to her newly acquired sister. The simplicity of the story and average production values oddly but effectively enhance what is basically a study of new beginnings and family relations.

At times this film seems like an endless collection of ad-libbed homemade family films as the camera pans on the girls playing and on the irrelevant family activities. However an important message underlies these banal and underwhelming sequences – the significance of communication and family bonding.

The story progresses slowly and may be exhausting to watch, but the pace builds in the final quarter as Frida becomes inquisitive about her parent’s deaths and commences the grieving process.

★★★

Apr 18–May 7. Palace Cinemas. $20. Tickets & Info: www.palacecinemas.com.au

By Mark Morellini.