Before El Finâ

Nathan Buck's masterfully shot "Under Spanish Skies" is rife with beautiful images of the Spanish landscape. The story reminds me of Hemingway's "Hill Like White Elephants." Similar to Hemingway's Iceberg theory to writing, Nathan relies on subtext to drive the story, allowing the audience to take a more active role in the interpretation of the story. The acting is phenomenal, with powerful performances by Amr Waked, Philippe Brenninkmeyer, Nahéma Ricci, Tara Lynn Orr, and Tullan Holmqvist. The story is haunting and beautiful - a thematic study of loss, love, and human emotion. I highly recommend this film!

Writer/director Nathan Buck has crafted a finely nuanced drama that makes anvils seem light in comparison. Under Spanish Skies spotlights panoramic vistas in its excellent cinematography, and has a polished look that far surpasses many of today's indie film releases. The film has a somber script that takes a sobering look at tough adult situations, such as long-strained relationships and abruptly discovered, deeply-held secrets. The film is brought to life with really good acting throughout. Each cast member created a character that seemed to embody an unspoken backstory, lending gravitas to their performances. To be sure, this is drama with a CAPITAL D, with nary a laugh to be found. But if movie dramas are your thing, this one has that in spades and you can be completely certain that you'll get your drama fix!

"Under Spanish Skies" has an irreproachable cast, a well-developed and captivating script and music that perfectly matches each scene. The story is about the long-lasting friendship of two couples that turns out to be full of unspoken words, lies and complex feelings. After the death of one of them, they question their relationship against a backdrop of a Shakespearean drama, making us think about our friendship's values and how we would manage to deal with the loss of a loved one. This incredible indie movie is a truly beautiful film full of tenderness, emotions and unexpected twists, all set in a beautiful landscape that would rather aspire to a peaceful weekend than to a delicate but necessary introspection. This film is definitely worth watching and I wish it the huge success it deserves.

It's no coincidence that Shakespeare is heavily referenced within the story of this film. If only the characters could recognize how their own lives echo stories by the classic playwright.

In the wake of her husband's untimely passing, Leah has invited her closest friends to their villa under the guise of mourning him. In truth she has a secret to reveal which will send all of their relationships into a tailspin. But Leah's secret is only the beginning, and there is more to unfold as we learn their shared past is not all that it appears to be.

The intersecting the lives of a small cast collide here in unexpected ways against the backdrop of the Spanish countryside. Wonderful cinematography, talented cast, and an understated score push this film forward every step of the way.

Under Spanish Skies is a deeply moving film about life and death. A reclusive artist invites old friends to her farm in Spain and tells them of a suicide pact she had with her deceased husband. In the next 48 hours, to save her, the friends must reveal secrets from the past that could cause her to change her mind. In todays world of action packed super hero movies some viewers may find it's a bit of a slow but steady pace. I personally think this is not a bad thing. It's not that kind of movie. This is not a story to be rushed and there's no need to. It has a very intelligent screenplay and the cast is excellent across the board. The camera work is amazing and the exquisite Spanish landscapes and scenery are just beautiful. I highly recommend this movie.