The sun shines in our hearts. If you're in the mood to watch another gay drama, you're not here. Because the film “Sleepless Knights” by German Stefan Butzmuchlen and Spaniard Christina Diz is completely different. It is about eternity, earth, history, endless sky, hot sun, the beauty of life and the uninterrupted connection of time. A small city in the heart of the autonomous region of Extremadura, red earth, ochre-colored hills that stretch as far as one can see, dried grass, modest plantations literally watered for many generations, flocks of sheep, Catholic processions, quiet, measured life that requires diligence and disposes to contemplation.
Eight old men prepare for the annual celebration of the victory of the knights over the Moors. Centuries ago, a handful of fearless cabalieros tied to the backs of a flock of sheep torches and drove them to a well-fortified castle at night. The Moors decided that a huge army was moving on them. The current “knights” repair worn-out armor and helmets, sitting by the fire, bake fish, sing old songs like the sky and, tied to the backs of the sheep light bulbs on batteries, wander to the ruins of an ancient castle.
I was foaming on the altar
I have been many things according to your Lord's will.
I am nothing like a dog without a master.
Who already feels like she's dying.
Spain is in crisis. Returning from unemployment in Madrid, Carlos is living with his family. A father suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, a mother whose heart has enough love for everyone, a brother, sister, children, aunts, uncles – an eternal patriarchal life. Carlos meets a young police officer, Juan. And the relationship between these two beautiful people is as natural and harmonious as the reality around them. Embracing naked sleeping bodies, the bend of the eyelashes of beautiful Juan, the unity of souls when words are not needed - all this has absorbed a huge world in which everything is eternal and everything is fleeting.
A delightful atmospheric movie in which the noise of the wind, the rustling of grass, the chirping of crickets, the breath of a person is more important than words. Modest and at the same time delightful beautiful landscapes of this ancient land. The characters of Carlos and Juan are conditionally main, their story is only a thread woven into the canvas of the life of a small town. This film is a real work of art, an amazing beauty and poetic view of the world, a tuning fork, with the help of which harmony and peace descends into the soul of the viewer.
The sun shines in our hearts.
And my soul is clothed as if to communion.
And when I die, one day,
I'll be happy to laugh.
For I carry this radiance within me.
10 out of 10
PS. There are only two professional actors in the film, the other roles were played by locals. There is no cast list on the site. I'll give it to you.
Carlos: Raul Godoy (Raul Godoy)
Juan: JAIME PEDRUELO (Jaime Pedruelo)
Father: Angel Munoz Ruiz (Angel Munoz Ruiz)
Mother: Pepa Duran Sanchez (Pepa Duran Sanchez)
Brother: David Ruiz Miranda (David Ruiz Miranda)
Sister: ALICIA MUNOZ NUNEZ (Alicia Muñoz Nunez)