Mararía (1998)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Antonio José Betancor

Writers:

Rafael Arozarena (novel)
Antonio José Betancor (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Carmelo Gómez	...	Fermín
Iain Glen	...	Bertrand
Ulises Hernández	...	D. Antonio
Goya Toledo	...	Mararía
Mirta Ibarra	...	Herminia (as Mirtha Ibarra)
José Manuel Cervino	...	Marcial
Manuel Manquiña	...	Geito
Francisco Casares	...	D. Leandro
Miguel Alonso	...	Isidoro (as Miguel Angel Alonso)
Cyra Toledo	...	Doña Mercedes
Gloria del Toro	...	Carmen
Juli Mira	...	Sebastián
Antonio Dechent	...	Lázaro
José Basista	...	Alfonso (as José Batista)
Chamaida Santana	...	Sarito

Runtime:

USA:109 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

Soundtrack:

Mararía

Original surroundings for a stunning drama.

Set in the Canary Islands the location commands our immediate attention. The rough terrain is of volcanic origin and hot spots among the rocks can ignite a bundle of furze in a matter of seconds. We see that plants are nourished in nest-like excavations and down by the sea there is a network of saltlakes. To add to the unique atmosphere we see camels being used as a mode of transport. A strange place indeed! And what of the inhabitants? In such an isolated place it is understandable they seem somewhat bored with life. There is the pub of course and the adjacent dance hall....but not much else. They seem to be a superstitious lot believing that the ghosts of the dead can reappear from the sea.

Into this scene comes the rather quiet and conservative Fermin (Carmelo Gonzalez) a doctor to whom Mararia becomes instantly attracted. Not long afterwards an English vulcanologist (Iain Glen) arrives to survey the volcanic surroundings.

Following a rather quiet beginning, the film now takes on a sense of real drama. Beautiful Mararia discovers she is pregnant and on her wedding day it seems that her would-be husband the vulcanologist has disappeared with all his instruments. Now it is time to rid the house of all its evil spirits so Mararia's godmother gets busy weaving her magic spells.

When in years later Mararia's beautiful young child disappears it is just too much for Mararia to bear.

The film then races to a dramatic climax down by the sea. If you believe that the ghosts of the dead will rise up from the sea, think again. The ending is both tragic and unforgettable.