La trinchera infinita

The film deals with multiple issues including the psychological effects of isolation, the relationship consequences, trauma of rape, and childhood problems as a result of parental illness. I was initially put off by the length of the film, but it needed this length in order to fully develop the themes. This is one of the few long films that I've seen in which the length of the film was justified.

Like all dictatorships, it comes with victims, beneficiaries, traitors and so on. This movie ignores most of that and instead it shows the suffering of a single family for over three decades, showing it well in a very intimate way. In times of today it is very hard to believe that this period actually wasn't so long ago.

An extraordinary historical fiction movie, with outstanding performers, an elaborated script, and thriller format that makes it absolutely gripping.

The story is set in Spanish Civil War time. A man is trying to escape from Nationalists in a village in Andalusia. His strategy is to hide. In the town there are doubts about where he is hidden, people suspect. Not only Higinio suffers his persecution, but his wife, Rosa, has to face many difficult moments. The setting of that time is perfect, also clothing and language. It is slow and long. It lacks emotion and intensity. 147 minutes are excessive for the story itself.

This movie delicately captures how humans who are governed by fear not only rendered helpless, but are also transformed to alien versions of their former selves. What are the enduring repercussions of civil wars and dictatorships? What does life mean under these conditions? Is life a mere survival or do we stop living once our souls and spirits are crushed? Does a crushed soul and a defeated person stand a chance of living again? Can love survive military dictatorships?

This movie is an attempt to address all of these questions and its take is moving, heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time!