After an accident that makes him question his right to freedom, N. struggles desperately to get himself into prison. However, the punishment he longs for doesn’t work out the way he imagined.
N. (Mario Casas) is grieving the loss of his wife, who was killed in a car accident for which he feels directly responsible. After several failed attempts to end up in prison, he finally manages to commit a crime serious enough to get him locked up. For him, freedom had become a more agonizing prison than actual incarceration, so confinement—torture for others—takes on a different meaning for the protagonist.
Rodrigo Cortés explores the micro-universe of a man tormented by guilt; for him, freedom has lost the value most people take for granted. We rarely have access to the character’s thoughts, as he communicates minimally and avoids contact with those close to him. Yet through his actions, we come to understand that we are dealing with a deeply layered and complex character, whose past and inner turmoil are gradually revealed. Through his interactions with various people—some who want to help him, others who try to hinder him—we learn that N., initially appearing dangerous and devoid of empathy, is in fact a victim of his own inability to forgive himself. Although his sister, Abril (Anna Castillo), tries to help him overcome the agonizing grief and self-destructive thoughts, N. cannot get past the internal blockages that imprison him emotionally and mentally, eventually leading him to the physical prison he so desperately seeks.
The narrative is evenly paced, with the second half of the film focusing on life behind bars, where N. faces the usual hardships of prison life: threats, intimidation, and both physical and psychological violence from fellow inmates and guards. N. accepts and endures everything that happens to him, yet continues to live in fear of freedom. Even in prison, he attempts to commit new offenses to ensure an extension of his confinement. The film relies on visual and narrative metaphors that linger in the viewer’s mind, prompting reflection on moral limits, responsibility, and the impact of our actions on others. The protagonist condemns himself to an eternity of isolation, with his self-inflicted punishment at times reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange, but in a Kafkaesque, almost surreal context.
Monday, June 16, 9:00 PM / Casa de Cultură a Studenților
Sunday, June 22, 10:45 PM / Cercul Militar