LIFE IS A JOURNEY, BUT LOVE AND FEAR ARE JOURNEYS ALSO.

La Palma Island belongs to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife,  in northernmost Spain’s Canary Islands and it is also known as “La isla bonita” (the beautiful island).  Almost a year ago, an eruption at the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge lasted from September 19th. to December 13th. 2021, lava flows and earthquakes devastated part of the island causing damages and mobilizations.  This fictional film by JD Alcázar was entirely shot at La Palma island, before the eruption. 

José (Miguel Diosdado) and  David (Carlos Mestanza) had a relationship for eight years but have been apart for a 10-month period. They meet again at the volcanic island where they converged for the first time.  They plan to stay for a month, maybe for a second chance to fall in love again, but the encounter will be reduced to 4 days or a few more.

José and David, both handsome men who find each other so desirable, have attractive friends Fayna (Natalia Rodríguez Arroyo) and Lucía (María Moroto) who have been in a relationship for a while and who are having issues about having a child.  The cast also includes Tito Raúl (Sergio Momo) a sexy appealing guy with pink hair and flashy clothes and  Thora! (She is played by Isabel Torres,  a native from Las Palmas and also known as La Veneno, who passed away on Feb. 11, 2022 R.I.P)  They all relate to each other and allow the story to move forward up to the end where the director plays with the beginning and the first encounter of José and David. 

In several scenes, José takes notes in a small notebook with his left hand,  since he is a screenplay writer, and for a moment we have the impression he is writing the movie we are watching. 

La Palma island itself has majestic views and seduces with the black sand of its beaches and the beauty and exuberance of its vegetation, the place traps us.

A wild party turns the movie into a bit of a  nightmare since strange things happen. There is very good chemistry between José and David (and Raúl for whom the camera loves)  and a yellow surprise for a treat!

8 years since the beginning of a relationship seems like yesterday  Life goes away so quickly,  it is like a ride by the island… a trip worth to be taken indeed; listening to Pepe Bernabé and Funambulista singing ‘8 Years reprise’. 

 

 

 

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Review by José Mayorga , Guatemala, Central America  lawyer and notary public, visual artist, and editor of
El Azar Cultural, lives and works in Guatemala City. Cinema lover, curious about the possibilities life brings 
and eager to live the experience.