“What it’s like to sleep and not worry when nothing disturbs your sleep.”—Dmitry Blake, “Fairy Pollen.” “Experiencing” (there is another version of the title, as “I will survive”, which is more consistent with what is happening according to the script) is a Spanish drama film, released in 1999 by the directorial duo Alfonso Albacete and David Menquez, little known outside his native Spain. They also adapted novelist Lucia Echebarria. The main roles were involved 35-year-old Emma Suarez Bodelon (more familiar to the audience in the abbreviated form of the name and surname Emma Suarez) and 24-year-old actor and model of Argentine-Spanish origin Juan Diego Botto.
Currently, the film “Experiencing” almost one hundred percent would attract the attention of many critics and other people close to the art of cinema. The fact is that the character of Juan Diego Botto named Inaki belongs to the representatives of the sexual minority. In a period of total tolerance, which sometimes goes beyond all appropriate limits, films that tell about members of the LGBT community, in themselves become a trend. But during 1999, this nuance of social status was not so widespread and even advertised in its own way.
But do not assume that the entire tape “Experiencing” will be subordinated to this circumstance. First of all, we will observe the tragic fate of a lonely woman who suffers the loss of a loved one very hard. Her name is Marga (Emma Suarez) and for a long time she could not even look at men, almost dooming herself to the life of a lonely and unhappy woman. But one day she is guided on the right path, assuring that nothing is over and her happiness can still be found. And Marga suddenly finds the one who lies on her heart. However, he believes that Marga is no more than a friend to her, because he is not attracted to the female sex. However, friendly feelings inadvertently develop into something more and neither Marga nor Inaki know how to be with this.
In addition to such a dramatic story with a fair emotional background, Emma Suarez’s acting attracts attention. It must be said that this is one of the most titled and famous actresses in Spain. It is no joke to say that at the XXXI Goya Award (Spanish equivalent of the Oscar), Suarez received two awards at once: for the best female role and for the best female supporting role. And so Emma Suarez can be called a record holder. In "Experiencing." Emma proves her dramatic talent, playing naturally and not crossing the line when fatigue appears to the heroine instead of sympathy. In fact, her Marge sincerely wants happiness, because she deserves it, and I really want the tape to end with a happy ending. Will it be? We need to listen carefully to the narrative from Marga in the final picture. It will make you think, by the way, was it right? There are deep thoughts in "Experiencing" - that's for sure.
But the quality of the production is different. It is quite clear that a large budget was not laid in the production of the picture, it is noticeable that the entire film crew had to proceed from the fact that they had and there is no surplus here. Therefore, there are several drawn-out scenes with dialogues in the picture, which do not have a particularly important plot characteristic. In fact, these are scenes that were aimed at showing the viewer realism, so that he did not think, the story is far-fetched and has almost fantastic context. But because of such sagging scenes, there is a feeling of protractedness and a desire to type the necessary material for the release of a full-fledged feature film. And, admittedly, did not like too academic, without any exquisite work of the operator. The latter can also be attributed to the lack of proper budget.
In general, it turned out quite tolerable dramatic film with a good not so banal idea in the plot. You can watch it once, but you should not expect anything special. But you can fully enjoy the game of Emma Suarez, who completely gave herself the role and did not serve a number on the set. By the way, among the cast in the film “Experiencing” is one of the most famous Spanish actress Pas Vega, but her role is as concise as it is unimportant, besides episodic, so there is no point in focusing on Vega.
6 out of 10