Latido Swoops on San Sebastian Premiere ‘As Silence Passes By,’ One of Spain’s Awaited Feature Debuts of 2024 (EXCLUSIVE)

As a supporter of authentic and impactful cinema, I am thrilled to learn that Madrid-based Latido Films has acquired international sales rights for Sandra Romero’s “As Silence Passes By.” Having read about this anticipated Spanish debut, I am captivated by its raw and unflinching portrayal of real life experiences.


In simple terms, Madrid’s Latido Films has acquired the rights to sell “As Silence Passes By,” an anticipated Spanish debut film by Andalusian director Sandra Romero, on the international market.

Last week, it was announced that Romero’s first film will be among the initial ten selections for the New Directors competition at San Sebastian Film Festival’s notable sidebar. This was penned down by Romero herself.

Chloe Zhao’s film “Nomadland” blends reality and fiction by having authentic people portray enhanced versions of themselves, revealing a more profound narrative, according to an EbMaster review.

“In ‘As Silence Passes By,’ the author achieves great rewards through its deep exploration of human psychology and accurate portrayal of social situations.”

Antonio, 32, who has made a home for himself in Madrid, feels compelled to go back to his rural Andalusian hometown during the Holy Week because his twin brother Javier can no longer care for himself due to worsening kyphosis issues.

The on-screen siblings, Antonio, Javier, and María Araque (in real life), portray the twins and their sister. According to Romero, while the storyline is fabricated, the emotions it evokes are genuine. The production incorporates elements close to documentary style, including a poignant depiction of María’s laborious job at a local orange packaging factory.

“The depth we could work with is very difficult to achieve in classic fiction,” Romero argued.

A challenging question for Antonio and María is whether they should spend a significant portion of their near future caring for Javier, who has a constant need for attention.

When Antonio comes back, Javier welcomes him by spending the night at a seedy bar, consuming pills, lines of cocaine, and excessive drinking that leaves him immobile. Considering his upcoming major surgery and the pins he’ll have to live with, Javier implores Antonio to let him experience life in all its intensity while he still can.

Based on the given text, I believe that Javier has had a challenging experience with abandoning a care home and dealing with the aftermath of his decision. He seems to have a unique perspective on the diversity of people in such institutions, viewing them as making up a “full person” despite their various health issues. His physical and mental state following this experience has left him hesitant about undergoing major surgery immediately. It’s clear that Javier’s life journey has been marked by adversity and resilience, shaped by the realities of mental health and disability.

Romero expressed great intrigue over the portrayal of the “morally complex sick individual” in the movie, as it resonated with the conflicting emotions Antonio experiences on screen.

The film offers an unfiltered depiction of the immense struggle with codependency experienced by lower-income families, while introducing us to sister María and their acquaintances. Simultaneously, it provides a raw and unglamorized perspective on living in a small community. Fran, Javier’s ex-girlfriend, expresses her exhaustion and acceptance of her monotonous job selling trinkets: “I’m already drained, and this is all my life will be.”

According to Antonio Saura, head of Latido Films, Romero stands out as the most audacious and thought-provoking director of her generation. Her film offers a unique perspective into the everyday lives of rural communities in Spain that is currently unmatched.

In “As Silence Passes By,” escapist fiction presents a relatable predicament – the complex issue of codependency – and demonstrates ordinary individuals trying to find solutions.

According to Romero, instead of sticking to conventional fiction and reality structures in filmmaking, he searches for elements from life that resonate with him. He strives to depict on screen both what he comprehends and what remains a mystery to him.

Production Details, and Latido’s Women Director Mission

At the D’A Festival in Barcelona, “As Silence Passes By” was awarded the D’A Film Lab Prize. This film is produced by Mammut, a production company based in Madrid and Valencia, which is transitioning from short to feature films. Playa Chica Films from Andalusia, known for producing Romero’s short, is also involved in the production. In addition, Icónica, a renowned production house led by José Nolla, responsible for Toronto Fipresci prize winner “El Autor,” and Auna Producciones headed by Amaya Izquierdo are producing this film.

“Saura praises the film highly, describing it as groundbreaking, possessing both stunning and raw moments, capable of eliciting joy and pain simultaneously, providing a profound look into the complexities of familial struggles,” is one way to paraphrase the original statement.

“At Latido, we take pride in backing the next wave of talented female filmmakers. Last year, it was Rocio Mesa’s ‘Tobacco Barns.’ This year, we are thrilled to be working with Celia Rico on ‘Little Loves,'” he noted.

More recently, Latido has been involved in the sale of films such as “Aire: Just Breathe” by Leticia Tonos Paniagua, “The Enchanted” by Elena Trapé, and “Chinas” by Arantxa Echevarria.

Read More

2024-07-22 19:47