The Goldsmith’s Secret – Spanish Film Festival

21 Jun The Goldsmith’s Secret – Spanish Film Festival

I was very lucky to be invited to a screening of the Goldsmith’s Secret as part of the Spanish Film Festival. The screening was at the Palace Cinema in Moonee Ponds. Here is the synopsis from Josephine who hosted the meetup.

Book your tickets:
www.palacecinemas.com.au/movies/spa25-the-goldsmiths-secret

Watch the trailer – https://youtu.be/PAjzb58prAc

Adapted from Elia Barceló’s critically acclaimed novel, this timeless, epic romance directed by Olga Osorio is a remarkable story of impossible love. Set across decades, this captivating tale delves into the passionate relationship of a couple whose love is trapped between parallel times. 1999.

Juan Pablo (Mario Casas), a skilled goldsmith, embarks on a journey from Spain to New York where he will exhibit some of his latest works. Before leaving, a visit to his hometown triggers memories from 25 years earlier. Plunged into a flashback, his journey takes him back in time to the summer when he met the woman who would change his life forever: Celia (Michelle Jenner), a forty-year-old seamstress. But unfortunately, their age difference pre-determines their great,
passionate love story is doomed from the beginning.

Determined to alter their fate, Juan Pablo endeavours to rewrite their story, making a solemn promise to Celia before his return to 1999. But can their love transcend the confines of time, or is it destined to be lost forever?

My thoughts

It was interesting to explore the themes of age differences in romantic relationships. The same couple, separated by a 22 year time period, had somehow been split and recombined in diametric opposites, causing them to be forced to confront a challenging age difference.

Josephine suggested that the underlying themes in the film were the philosophical ideas of Nietzsche, and particularly the idea that you can determine your own destiny.

It was very aesthetically beautiful in a kind of ‘romantic’ way, including the beautiful sandstone architecture of the town VilaSante and its public spaces. The film often showed scenery around the town too, particularly aerial views of the vineyards and surrounding mountains.

Another nice part of the film was the fashion. Celia was a dressmaker in the film and there were many scenes showing her impeccable dress sense and creative process of dressmaking. I suppose that they were both makers, since Juan was a goldsmith, and they connected on that level also.