Julio Medem’s ‘8,’ at This Year’s EFM, Explores 90 Years of Spanish History Through Two Intertwined Lives

by

Film director Julio Medem, known for his unique cinematic style in Spain, will once again shine at Berlin’s European Film Market with “8,” a bold and inventive film. This movie explores 90 years of Spanish history by weaving together the lives of two characters, Octavio and Adela, over an extended timespan.

In this new production, Javier Rey, known for his role in “Cocaine Coast,” takes on the character of Octavio, while Ana Rujas, celebrated for her performance in “La Mesías” from Los Javis, portrays Adela. This movie is brought to you by Morena Films, who have previously created successful films like “Cell 211” and “Champions,” in collaboration with Barbazul la película AIE, Eidan Produce, and Quexito Films. The distribution rights are managed by Latido Films.

Medem explained to EbMaster that he plans to narrate Octavio and Adela’s 90-year journey across eight segments, with each segment being a continuous scene. This way, the duration in each part will be ‘some time’,” Medem told EbMaster. The director’s method stems from the belief that “the audience is the only one who gets a comprehensive and exclusive perspective of both characters’ lives.

The fundamental idea of the movie revolves around the fact that Octavio and Adela’s lives are connected not just by mere coincidence, but by something greater – a sort of ‘meta-reality’ of eight that binds them together despite their geographical separation. This connection originates from the unusual circumstance of both being born on the same day and at the same time in nearby villages.

Or more concisely: The movie suggests that Octavio and Adela share a deep, non-coincidental bond due to their extraordinary shared birthday and village proximity, which could be seen as part of a larger, unseen force connecting them.

As a movie enthusiast, I found “8” to be a remarkable testament to cinema’s capacity for conveying deeply intimate yet universally relatable stories. Working alongside Alvaro Longoria from Morena Films and director Julio Medem himself on this project was an honor, a privilege, and a significant responsibility.

Julio Medem’s gift for delving into human emotions and creating distinctive visual landscapes raises the bar for global cinema. His latest work is no exception; it’s a masterpiece that beautifully encapsulates our shared human experiences.

Medem’s technical process played a crucial role in building the movie’s structure. He explained that for months, he practiced with the actors in an empty room, using white tape to mark out spaces on the floor. This wasn’t just regular rehearsal, but also a time for figuring out the camera angles and setup, which he did using his smartphone. This practical rehearsal served as a foundation for a intricate dance routine that was later perfected.

In my journey as a movie reviewer, I embarked on an innovative project, named Hal – a creation reminiscent of the enigmatic computer from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’ My talented son Peru, an architect and virtual reality artist, was the mastermind behind this remarkable tool. With Hal at my disposal, I found myself in a unique position to independently choreograph scenes, manipulate characters, and control the camera angles by selecting the optics and lighting. Hal has been an indispensable asset throughout this creative process.

Collaborating with Director of Photography Rafael Reparaz, Medem established the visual aesthetic for each chapter. “Each chapter features distinct imagery, screen format, and cinematographic style typical of its era,” Medem described. “From expressionistic black and white in the first chapter, reminiscent of Murnau’s ‘The Vampire of Düsseldorf,’ with blueish, sepia, and pink hues; to stark, contrasting black and white in the Civil War period; to the introduction of color after the war; to neorealistic cinema of the 1960s; to the adoption of new optics in 1977; to the high-quality 35 mm format in 1992; to digital HD in 2008; and finally, shooting in 6k resolution in 2021.

The lives of the main characters mirror the broader societal and political rifts in Spain, spanning from the Civil War era through Franco’s rule and beyond. As Medem explained, Adela and Octavio are heavily influenced, even harshly at times, by their social and political surroundings. He further pointed out that these characters’ personal journeys serve as a symbol of the two contrasting Spains and offer an emotional portrayal of its internal strife and “Cainism.

Even amidst the history of strife portrayed, “8” presents a hopeful outlook on reconciliation. In its concluding sequence, the movie seems to hint at achieving mutual understanding between parties, resolving disputes that have been passed down through generations, and extending forgiveness as Medem mentioned.

History has a habit of recurring and leaving its marks, and the number 8 prompts questions born from this reality. In these troubling times marked by political strife, the final lines of Antonio Machado’s poem ‘Españolito’, written towards the end of the Spanish Civil War, seem particularly relevant once more, with all their enigmatic depth: “One of the two Spains must chill your soul.” This was Medem’s conclusion.

Read More

2025-02-13 19:47