Alba
Alba, 11 years old, passes her days in silence. She loves little animals. She has learned to cope with her mother's illness, helping her to use the bathroom. Alba plays silently so that her mother can rest during the day. One night Alba's mother gets worse, and has to be taken to the hospital. With no one else to take care of her, Alba is sent to live with her father, who she hasn't seen since she was three years old. Living with her father is almost unbearable. Embarrassment, her first kiss, visits to mother in the hospital, Edgar's tender efforts to get close to her, and bullying at school; these are some of the experiences that pave Alba's journey to puberty and to self-acceptance.
Insights
Plot Summary
Alba, a young woman, travels to the Spanish Pyrenees to attend her grandmother's funeral. Upon her arrival, she discovers her grandmother has left her a mysterious inheritance: a small, dilapidated house filled with secrets and memories. As Alba begins to explore the house and its surroundings, she uncovers fragments of her family's past, revealing long-hidden truths about her grandmother's life and the impact of the Spanish Civil War. The film weaves together present-day discoveries with flashbacks, painting a portrait of resilience, loss, and the enduring power of memory.
Critical Reception
Alba received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who praised its atmospheric storytelling and strong performances, particularly from its lead actress. Some reviewers noted the film's deliberate pacing and melancholic tone, while others found its narrative structure somewhat fragmented. Despite these varying opinions, the film was generally acknowledged for its emotional depth and poignant exploration of familial legacies.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its evocative atmosphere and emotional resonance.
- The performances, especially from the lead, are highlighted as a strong point.
- Some critics found the pacing to be slow or the narrative a bit disjointed.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for 'Alba' (2016) is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on location in the Pyrenees mountains, enhancing its naturalistic and atmospheric feel.
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