In a Spain in the midst of civil war (1936), the life of the Republican partisan Higinio Blanco is in danger with the arrival of the Francoist army. For his survival, he decides to hide inside his home. Throughout this long tale, Higinio is accompanied by his courageous wife Rosa. A Secret Life is a Spanish drama unfolding over almost 40 years of the couple’s life.
A Little-Known Story in France
The Francoist period is rather unknown in France. However, its impact in Spain was unprecedented on the population. In the case of the film A Secret Life, we are in the shoes of a “mole” retreating within his walls to escape death. During the premiere that took place at the beginning of October, the audience was surprised that this feature film is inspired by true events, as they had never heard of them before.
An Emotional Intensity
A Secret Life, or La Trinchera Infinita in its original language, is of overwhelming emotional harshness. You are not just a spectator; you are the actor in the film. The narrative perspective is through the eyes of Higinio, the man locked in the floor or walls of his house. We only see what unfolds within the family home and slightly through the living room windows. When Rosa is in a position of weakness or danger, Higinio cannot react; he must preserve his hiding place.
An Oppressive Enclosure
This enclosed setting allows viewers to more quickly become familiar with the two protagonists. A parallel with the lockdown experienced at the beginning of the year was made by one of the film’s directors, Aitor Arregi. The feature film was made and conceived well before the health crisis, but for him, since these events, A Secret Life can have other levels of interpretation. We can better identify with this family man due to his constant confinement. Of course, this feeling only relates to the confinement within our homes and not the omnipresent death surrounding Higinio.
An Award-Winning Film
In recent months, A Secret Life has had numerous nominations at the Goya ceremony (the Spanish equivalent of the Cรฉsar Awards), and Belรฉn Cuesta was voted best actress. A more than deserved award; she is excellent in each of her appearances and is missed when she is not present with her husband. At the San Sebastiรกn Film Festival, the movie received the trophy for best screenplay and best direction. However, the most glorious nomination is the preselection for the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. We will not be surprised if the directors walk away with the little statuette next February.
