Movies: Amanece (2023) by Juan Francisco Viruega: A Family's Quiet Reckoning
- dailyentertainment95
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
A Tale of Forgiveness and Farewell Amanece (translated as "It Dawns") is a 2023 Spanish drama film directed by Juan Francisco Viruega. The movie follows Alba (Aura Garrido), a woman who returns to her rural hometown in Andalusia after a painful romantic breakup. Her return forces a reunion with her estranged sister, Candela (Iria del Río), and the two must come together to care for their terminally ill mother. The film is a poignant and melancholic exploration of family dynamics, unspoken grief, and the quiet beauty of a final farewell. It is a slow-burn character study that uses its desolate, sun-bleached landscape as a backdrop for deep emotional pain and eventual reconciliation.
Why to watch this movie: A Poetic and Intimate Family Drama This film is a compelling watch for its raw emotional honesty and its patient, artistic approach to a universal story.
A beautiful and intimate portrayal of grief: The film avoids melodrama, instead opting for a quiet and restrained approach to grief. It focuses on the small moments—the shared silences, the strained glances, the quiet acts of care—that define the final days of a family's life.
Stunning cinematography: The film is visually striking, using the arid, sun-drenched landscapes of Almería to evoke a sense of melancholy and emotional emptiness. The cinematographer, Pepe de la Rosa, won an award for his work, and it's easy to see why. The visual language of the film is a key part of its emotional power.
Strong ensemble performances: The cast, particularly the lead actresses Aura Garrido and Iria del Río, deliver nuanced and believable performances. Their strained chemistry and the weight of their shared history are palpable, drawing the audience into their fractured world.
Where to watch: https://www.amazon.com/placeholder_title-John-Doe/dp/B0FQVPQKVG/ (US), https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FQVCR36Y/ (UK), https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0LSB9TKJXOXD35DI4ZTW97VSAB/ref=dvm_src_ret_es_xx_s (Spain)
About movie: https://factoriadecreacion.com/amanece/
What Trend is followed?: The 'New Spanish Cinema' Movement Amanece is a part of the "New Spanish Cinema" trend, which is characterized by a return to intimate, character-driven dramas that explore contemporary social issues and the intricacies of family life.
Emotional realism: These films, often made on small budgets, prioritize emotional realism and naturalistic performances over elaborate plots. They are concerned with the inner lives of ordinary people and the universal struggles they face.
Emphasis on regional identity: The film, like others in this trend, is deeply rooted in its specific region—Andalusia. The landscape, the local culture, and the sense of small-town life are not just a backdrop but are central to the film's identity and themes.
Director's Vision: The Scars of Memory Juan Francisco Viruega's vision is to explore how the past continues to haunt and define our present.
The emotional weight of the past: The director has stated that the film is about how the "unspoken secrets" of a family can create deep wounds. His vision is to show how Alba's return home forces her to confront the old traumas and resentments that she has been running from.
The passage of time and healing: The film's title, which means "It Dawns," is a key part of the director's vision. It symbolizes the idea that even after the darkest night, there is still the possibility of a new beginning. He wanted the film to be a hopeful story about the process of healing and moving forward.
Themes: Estrangement, Forgiveness, and Endings The film's quiet narrative is rich with a variety of powerful themes.
Sibling Estrangement: The core of the film's conflict is the emotional distance between the two sisters. Their strained relationship, filled with unspoken resentments, is a powerful exploration of how family can both be a source of comfort and deep pain.
The Finality of Goodbye: The film is a poignant meditation on the process of saying goodbye to a loved one. It explores the complicated emotions that come with a terminal illness, from anger and regret to quiet acceptance and love.
Returning to Your Roots: Alba's journey is a universal story about returning to a place you left behind. It explores the bittersweet feeling of seeing a place that has remained frozen in time while you have changed, forcing a reckoning with who you once were.
Key success factors: Festival Recognition and Critical Acclaim The film's success is a result of its strong performance at film festivals and its critical praise.
A celebrated director: Juan Francisco Viruega has received multiple nominations for his direction, with one award for Best Director from the Almería International Film Festival.
Acting awards: The film was recognized for its acting, with Isabel Ampudia winning awards for her supporting role.
Strong festival run: The film's selection for prestigious festivals like San Sebastián and Seville lent it credibility and brought it to the attention of critics and a global audience.
Awards and Nominations: Multiple Wins at Film Festivals Amanece was the recipient of several awards and nominations. The film won the Best Director Award for Juan Francisco Viruega at the Almería International Film Festival, and Isabel Ampudia won two Best Supporting Actress Awards for her role as Aurora at the Blogos de Oro and the Lorca Awards. The film was also nominated for the Made in Spanish Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Critics Reception: A Poetic and Beautifully Made Film The critical reception for Amanece has been generally positive, with reviewers praising its emotional depth and its artistic qualities.
Cineuropa: A positive review from the San Sebastián festival premiere, noting the film's "austere and beautiful" aesthetic and its "delicate" approach to a serious topic.
Other critical reviews: Reviews noted the film's slow and deliberate pace, which some might find challenging, but most found that it allowed the emotional weight of the story to sink in. The cinematography and the performances were consistently praised.
Overall, critics see the film as a beautiful and sensitive portrait of a family's final moments together.
Reviews: Emotional and Sincere General audience reviews reflect a mixed response, with some viewers deeply connecting with the film's emotional sincerity, while others found its pacing too slow.
Audience Reviews (general sentiment): Some viewers found the film to be a "slow and boring" drama with a low IMDb score, reflecting its niche appeal. However, other viewers who appreciated its style called it a "hauntingly beautiful film" and a "sincere and honest" portrayal of a family dealing with grief.
Social Media Commentary: Discussions about the film on social media often mention its raw and unvarnished feel. Audiences who were moved by the film praised its ability to capture the small, quiet moments that define family relationships.
What Movie Trend film is following: The 'Contemporary Spanish Realism' The film fits into the trend of contemporary Spanish realism, which uses a documentary-like approach to tell fictional stories. These films are often set in authentic locations and use naturalistic dialogue to create a sense of verisimilitude. They are concerned with capturing the raw, messy reality of life rather than a polished, cinematic version of it.
What Big Social Trend is following: The Caretaker Generation and End-of-Life Care The film taps into the major social issue of the caretaker generation, which is the large number of adults who are now tasked with caring for their aging or terminally ill parents. The film's portrayal of the two sisters returning home to care for their mother is a powerful and timely reflection of this social reality. It explores the physical and emotional toll of end-of-life care and the difficult conversations that come with it.
Final Verdict: A Poignant and Artful Film Amanece is a beautifully crafted and emotionally honest film that is a must-watch for fans of character-driven dramas. While its slow pace may not appeal to everyone, its sincere approach to themes of family, forgiveness, and grief is deeply rewarding. Juan Francisco Viruega has created a moving and unforgettable portrait of a family finding their way back to each other in the last moments they have left.
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