New Movies: Dismantling an Elephant (2024) by Aitor Echeverría

"Dismantling an Elephant (2024)": Unpacking the Weight of Addiction in a Family

Description: Aitor Echeverrí's debut feature film, "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)," originally titled "Desmontando un elefante," is a Spanish drama that offers an intimate and unvarnished look at a family grappling with the aftermath of addiction. The film centers on a successful architect's return home from rehabilitation and the ripple effects of her struggle on her family, particularly her youngest daughter, highlighting the long-held silence surrounding the addiction and the challenging process of confronting it openly.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27850866/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/470168/

About movie: https://filmaxinternationalsales.com/film/dismantling-an-elephant

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/desmontando-un-elefante (Spain)

Detailed Summary: The film introduces Marga, a respected architect, as she returns to her family home after spending two months in a rehabilitation center for an addiction that her family has quietly endured for years. Her return is not a simple return to normalcy. As Marga attempts to rebuild her life and career, her presence significantly impacts her youngest daughter, Blanca, a promising dancer whose dreams and relationships are affected by the attention and care her mother now requires. The film explores the complex dynamics within the family, where years of silence and unspoken tension have built up around "the elephant in the room" – Marga's addiction. A year after her return, the film revisits the family, showing that while the addiction's presence is still keenly felt, it is now something that everyone can see and, presumably, begin to address. The narrative is expected to be a sensitive and realistic portrayal of the challenges of recovery, the strain addiction places on family bonds, and the difficult but necessary process of open communication and healing.

Plot Summary:

• Marga, an architect, returns home after two months in rehab for addiction.

• Her family has silently lived with her addiction for years.

• Marga's return impacts her youngest daughter, Blanca, affecting her dancing aspirations and relationships.

• A year later, the family is still dealing with the consequences of the addiction, but it is now openly acknowledged.

• The film explores the complex family dynamics and the process of confronting the addiction.

The plot is a dramatic exploration of a family's journey in confronting addiction and its lasting effects.

Director's Vision: "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" is the feature directorial debut of Aitor Echeverrí, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Pep Garrido. Echeverrí, who has a background in cinematography, brings an elegant and visually considered approach to this intimate family drama. His vision is to portray the devastating impact of addiction on a family that has long kept the struggle hidden. The film's title, "Dismantling an Elephant," directly refers to the idiom "the elephant in the room," signifying the large, obvious problem that is being ignored. Echeverrí aims to show how this unspoken issue distorts family dynamics and attachments. Reviews suggest he uses a "step by step" approach with carefully selected camera shots to reveal the hidden problems within this seemingly high-class family. The film seeks to explore how love alone is not enough to overcome the challenges posed by addiction and the importance of acknowledging and confronting the problem openly.

Themes:

• Addiction and Recovery: The central theme is the struggle with addiction, the process of rehabilitation, and the ongoing challenges of recovery.

• Family Dynamics and Dysfunction: The film delves into the complex and often strained relationships within a family affected by addiction, highlighting patterns of silence and codependency.

• The "Elephant in the Room": The film explicitly addresses the theme of unspoken problems and the consequences of avoiding difficult truths within a family.

• Impact on Loved Ones: The narrative shows how addiction affects not only the individual struggling but also profoundly impacts their family members, particularly children.

• Silence vs. Open Communication: The film contrasts the years of silence surrounding Marga's addiction with the later acknowledgment, emphasizing the importance of open communication for healing.

• Sacrifice and Support: Blanca's character highlights the sacrifices made by family members and the complex nature of providing support to a loved one with an addiction.

Key Success Factors:

• Powerful Performances: The film features a strong cast led by Emma Suárez and Natalia de Molina, whose performances have been praised in early reviews.

• Sensitive Portrayal of a Difficult Topic: The film tackles the challenging subject of addiction and its impact on families with apparent sensitivity and realism.

• Strong Directorial Debut: Reviews suggest that Aitor Echeverrí demonstrates promise as a narrative filmmaker, particularly in his visual approach and handling of complex emotions.

• Relatable Human Drama: Despite the specific context of addiction, the underlying themes of family struggles, communication breakdown, and the path to healing are universally relatable.

• Festival Premiere and Distribution: Premiering at the Seville Film Festival and securing distribution in Spain indicate industry recognition and a pathway to reach audiences.

Summary Short: In Aitor Echeverrí's Spanish drama "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)," a successful architect returns home from addiction rehab, forcing her family to confront the long-silenced issue and impacting her daughter's life. The film premiered at the Seville Film Festival.

Awards and Nominations: "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" premiered at the Seville Film Festival in November 2024. Information on other specific awards wins or nominations for this film is not widely available as of May 17, 2025. The film's premiere at a notable festival like Seville provides significant early exposure.

Critics Reception: "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" has received positive early critical reception, particularly following its premiere at the Seville Film Festival. Critics have lauded the film's sensitive portrayal of addiction within a family context and the strong performances of its lead actresses.

• Cineuropa: Describes the film as an "elegant feature debut" where Aitor Echeverrí explores the complex mother-daughter relationship, highlighting how they "need each other and repel one another in equal measure."

• IMDb User Reviews: User reviews on IMDb are generally positive, with one reviewer praising the "Great performance of Emma Suárez and a good direction, cinematography and artistic direction. Nice and rough at the same time." The reviewer also notes that Natalia de Molina's performance improves throughout the film.

• Filmaffinity Reviews: Reviews on Filmaffinity also lean positive, emphasizing the film's realistic portrayal of how addiction distorts family dynamics and how different family members cope. Critics appreciate the script structure, dialogues, and the strong interpretations by the cast, stating that the film allows the viewer to become involved and question how they would react in such a situation.

Overall Critics Reception: The critical reception is largely favorable, with particular praise directed at the film's authentic depiction of addiction's impact on a family, the strong performances from Emma Suárez and Natalia de Molina, and Aitor Echeverrí's capable direction in his feature debut.

Reviews: Reviews for "Dismantling an Elephant" consistently highlight the film's strengths in its emotional realism and the power of its central performances.

• Key Praises: Reviewers have commended the film's sensitive and nuanced approach to a difficult subject like addiction, avoiding melodrama. The performances of Emma Suárez as Marga and Natalia de Molina as Blanca are frequently cited as standout elements, effectively conveying the complex emotions and strains within the mother-daughter relationship. Aitor Echeverrí's direction and the film's cinematography have also been noted positively for their contribution to the film's atmosphere and storytelling. The script is seen as well-structured with realistic dialogue.

• Points of Criticism: While generally positive, some reviews might offer minor criticisms, but the overall sentiment from the available reviews is clearly appreciative of the film's quality and impact.

Overall Reviews: The available reviews indicate that "Dismantling an Elephant" is a critically appreciated drama, particularly within the context of Spanish cinema, recognized for its powerful acting, sensitive direction, and realistic portrayal of a family's struggle with addiction.

Box Office: "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" has a listed worldwide gross of $118,409 on IMDb. The film had a theatrical release in Spain on January 10, 2025, distributed by Filmax. As an independent Spanish film, this box office figure reflects its initial release and may not include all potential revenue streams (e.g., subsequent international releases, streaming, VOD).

Production: "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" is a co-production between Spain and France. The primary production companies include Arcadia Motion Pictures and Pegaso Pictures AIE from Spain, and Noodles Productions from France. The film was directed by Aitor Echeverrí and the screenplay was co-written by Echeverrí and Pep Garrido. The cast is led by Emma Suárez and Natalia de Molina, with supporting roles by Darío Grandinetti and Alba Guilera. Pau Castejón served as the cinematographer.

Production Companies:

• Arcadia Motion Pictures (Spain)

• Noodles Productions (France)

• Pegaso Pictures AIE (Spain)

Sales Companies:

• Filmax (Spain) - Handles international sales for the film.

Distribution Companies:

• Filmax (Spain) - Distributed the film in Spain.

• International distribution in other territories will be handled by companies that acquire the rights from Filmax.

Release Date on Streaming: A specific streaming release date for "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" is not widely available. Its availability on streaming platforms will follow its theatrical release and will depend on distribution deals in various territories.

Theatrical Release: "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" premiered at the Seville Film Festival in November 2024. It had a theatrical release in Spain on January 10, 2025. Information about theatrical releases in other countries is not yet widely available but will likely occur after its festival run and through agreements with international distributors.

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• Powerful and Authentic Portrayal of Addiction: The film offers a realistic and sensitive look at the impact of addiction on a family.

• Award-Winning Lead Actresses: Emma Suárez and Natalia de Molina are acclaimed actresses known for their strong performances.

• Promising Directorial Debut: Aitor Echeverrí shows skill in his first feature film, particularly in handling complex emotions and visuals.

• Relevant and Emotionally Resonant Theme: The film tackles a challenging but important topic that affects many families.

• Insight into Spanish Cinema: Experience a compelling drama from contemporary Spanish filmmaking.

Why to Watch Movie:

• If You Appreciate Character-Driven Dramas: If you enjoy films that focus on the internal lives and relationships of complex characters.

• Interested in Stories About Addiction and Recovery: Gain insight into the personal and familial struggles associated with addiction.

• To See Exceptional Acting: Watch powerful performances from renowned Spanish actresses.

• Support Debut Filmmakers: Discover the work of Aitor Echeverrí in his first feature film.

• Interested in World Cinema: Experience a critically appreciated film from Spain.

What Movie Trend film is Following: Social Realism in Drama / Films Addressing Contemporary Social Issues: The film aligns with the trend of dramas that focus on social realism, exploring contemporary issues like addiction and its impact on families with a focus on authenticity and emotional truth. It is also part of a broader trend of cinema that tackles mental health and addiction with increasing openness and nuance.

What Big Social Trend is Following: Increased Awareness and Openness Around Addiction and Mental Health: The film directly engages with the growing societal trend of destigmatizing addiction and mental health issues and encouraging open dialogue within families and communities. It reflects a move towards greater understanding and empathy for individuals and families affected by these challenges.

Final Verdict: "Dismantling an Elephant (2024)" is a powerful and moving Spanish drama that stands out for its honest and sensitive portrayal of a family grappling with addiction. Aitor Echeverrí's confident feature debut, coupled with the exceptional performances of Emma Suárez and Natalia de Molina, creates a compelling and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. The film bravely confronts the often-silenced "elephant in the room," highlighting the profound impact of addiction on family dynamics and the difficult but necessary journey towards healing and understanding. With its strong critical reception and a poignant story that resonates beyond its specific context, "Dismantling an Elephant" is a significant contribution to contemporary Spanish cinema and a recommended watch for audiences seeking thoughtful and impactful dramas that explore the complexities of the human condition and the bonds of family.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Tackle Difficult Subjects with Sensitivity and Realism: The film's success in portraying addiction authentically demonstrates the importance of approaching sensitive topics with care and a commitment to realism.

• Focus on Strong Character Development and Relationships: The film's strength lies in the nuanced portrayal of its characters and their complex interactions, highlighting the importance of investing in character development.

• Utilize Visuals to Enhance Emotional Storytelling: As a director with a cinematography background, Echeverrí's visual approach likely contributes significantly to the film's emotional impact.

• Don't Shy Away from Exploring Unspoken Issues: The film's central theme of confronting a long-ignored problem serves as a reminder of the dramatic potential in exploring what remains unsaid.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support Films Addressing Social Issues: Continue to invest in and promote films that tackle important contemporary social issues like addiction and mental health, contributing to greater awareness and understanding.

• Champion Debut Directors with a Clear Vision: Recognize and support new filmmakers like Aitor Echeverrí who demonstrate a strong artistic vision and the ability to tell compelling stories.

• Promote World Cinema Exploring Universal Themes: Highlight films from different countries that explore universal human experiences, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

• Recognize and Celebrate Strong Acting Ensembles: The praise for the cast underscores the value of powerful performances in driving a film's success.