“The Endless Trench” follows a man who hides in a hole for 30 years. He is like a mole hiding in the darkness, his existence becoming smaller and smaller until it is practically nonexistent. The film explores themes of isolation, fear, and the human capacity to survive in extreme circumstances. It is a powerful and haunting portrayal of the lengths people will go to in order to stay alive.
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Review
Ernest Hemingway’s minimalist prose and hard-edged realism has inspired many writers, filmmakers, and artists. And it’s not surprising that “The Endless Trench,” a Spanish film based on a true story of a political prisoner during the Franco regime, captures Hemingway’s ethos in its own way.
The film, directed by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, and Jose Mari Goenaga, is a haunting portrayal of a man’s struggle to survive in an era of political turmoil and oppression. It’s a story of love, loss, hope, and survival set against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods in Spain’s history.
The film tells the story of Higinio (Antonio de la Torre), a young man who is arrested for his involvement in anti-Franco activities. He is held captive for more than three decades in a small cell dug into the ground by his brother Basilio (Belén Cuesta) and sister-in-law Begoña (Vicenta Ndongo). Higinio spends years underground, confined to this tiny space with no light or air except for what his captors can provide him with.
As Higinio spends year after year confined to his underground cell unable to see daylight nor feel fresh air on his skin he begins to lose all sense of time. Time becomes an endless blur; it stops having meaning as days turn into weeks which turn into months and even years. He loses track of how long he has been there and who he was before confinement.
He has nothing but his imagination to keep him company — memories of his wife Rosa (Pilar Castro) and their shared dream of owning a house in the countryside where they could live peacefully together with nature. But as time goes by, Higinio begins to question whether these memories are real or just figments of his imagination.
Despite all odds stacked against him, Higinio never loses hope. He clings to his dream of escaping and reuniting with Rosa, who he believes is still alive. He keeps himself busy by digging a tunnel to the surface, hoping to escape one day. But as he digs deeper and deeper, he realizes that the tunnel may never be finished.
The film is shot in a muted palette of grays and browns, mirroring the bleakness of Higinio’s existence. The directors use long shots and slow-paced camera movements to create a sense of claustrophobia and isolation. The sound design is also noteworthy; it’s minimalistic, leaving plenty of room for silence which makes it all the more powerful.
Antonio de la Torre delivers a stunning performance as Higinio; he manages to convey the character’s resilience and vulnerability with grace. Belén Cuesta shines in her role as Basilio’s wife Begoña with whom Higinio develops an unexpected friendship that gives him comfort during his time underground.
“The Endless Trench” is not just a story about one man’s struggle; it’s also a reflection of society at large. It raises important questions about political oppression, isolation, freedom, and love. It’s a reminder that despite all our differences we are all human beings who share common hopes and dreams.
The film has garnered critical acclaim since its release in 2019. It was selected as Spain’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 93rd Academy Awards but failed to make the shortlist.
Despite this setback, “The Endless Trench” remains popular among audiences who appreciate its unique mix of historical drama, psychological thriller, and humanist themes.
In conclusion, “The Endless Trench” is a poignant film that deserves to be seen by audiences around the world. Its power lies in its ability to capture both the horrors of political oppression and the beauty of the human spirit. Like Hemingway’s works, it’s a celebration of the human experience in all its complexities.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 148
- Release : 2019-10-31
- Genre : Drama, History, Thriller
- Cast : Antonio de la Torre as Higinio, Belén Cuesta as Rosa, Vicente Vergara as Gonzalo, José Manuel Poga as Rodrigo, Emilio Palacios as Jaime
- Crew : Eva Leira as Casting Director, Yolanda Serrano as Casting Director, Luiso Berdejo as Screenplay, Pascal Gaigne as Original Music Composer, Aitor Arregi as Director
- Popularity 8.359
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : La Claqueta, Manny Films, Moriarti Produkzioak
- Summary : A small village in Huelva, Andalusia, Spain, 1936. Higinio and Rosa have been married only for a few months when the Civil War breaks out. Higinio, being afraid of possible reprisals from the rebel faction, decides to use a hole dug in his own house as a temporary hideout.
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