Escenas Previas

Aleksandra Maciuszek
Cuba, Poland | 2012 | 28 min
Language : Spanish
Subtitles : English, French

A man, his daughter and grandson live together in a dilapidated Cuban house filled with memories. However, the grandfather, who has never stopped raising and loving the little boy, becomes weak and discovers – or perhaps does not want to know – that his days are numbered due to a chronic illness. A graceful and poetic portrait, nursed by nostalgia. What do you do with the time you have left?

A man, his daughter and grandson live together in a dilapidated Cuban house filled with memories. However, the grandfather, who has never stopped raising and loving the little boy, experiences a certain tiredness and discovers – or perhaps prefers not to see – that his days are numbered due to a chronic illness. Meticulously working with chiaroscuro atmospheres, Escenas Previas calmly observes the minutiae of the daily lives of its three protagonists, punctuated by visits from family. Keeping clear of the moving or dramatic dimensions that this situation could cause, the father and daughter instead use frivolity and irony to defy the coming suffering. What remains are conversations concerning death and funerals, the goat that is put down, and the balloons the old man blows up to train his breathing, like signs and possible symbols of a final journey. A delicate portrait, soothed by nostalgia – what do you do with the time you have left?

Emilie Bujès