Chichester Cinema at New Park
Blue Eyelids
Parpados Azules
CHICHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
(With thanks to Axiom Films for this special screening)
Marina (Cecilia Suarez) wins a prize draw at work for an all expenses paid trip for two to a beautiful beach resort. At first she is elated, but it soon becomes clear that she has no-one to take. An introvert with very few friends, she decides to invite Victor (Enrique Arreola), a complete stranger who she has just met. Their journey takes them to a paradise, but will that be enough for them to fall in love?
Suarez and Arreola are excellent in the central roles, capturing the paradoxical fragility and stoicism of Marina and Victor, helping us to sympathise with them even when they are their own worst enemies. Good support is provided by Ana Ofelia Murguia as the ageing businesswoman Lulita whose lottery draw leads to the action. Although scenes with her initially seem extraneous, they quickly come to echo the lives of Marina and Victor, as we see that Lulita, too inhabits a delicately constructed cage of her own.
Ernesto Contreras keeps the pacing slow and deliberate, but the will they/won’t they nature of the romance – so different in essence to your average Hollywood romance – is beguiling for those who can cope without the usual romcom signposts. The humour here is situational and as gentle and brittle as the central protagonists. While not laugh-out-loud funny, the film is embued with a wistful air that is ultimately life-affirming. This won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance 2008. (subtitles)
(Tickets £7)
Mexico · 2007 · Ernesto Contreras · 98min
