Absent

This is not a review for this particular film, rather a guide for those who would like to watch it. Marco Berger (the director) is notorious for his slow-paced films with very simple and thin plots, and "Absent" is not an exception. Before trying this one, please get familiar with his cinematic style by watching his other works such as Hawaii (his best and easiest one to watch), Taekwondo and The Blonde One. After that you may appreciate this film more. I didn't rate it high but I think it's worth a try if you want something refreshing.

After watching "The Blond One" (EXCELLENT) and "Hawaii" (VERY GOOD) ...this movie is just "so so." I feel giving it a higher rating would be an insult to Marco's other films.

Really sad and really lovely. Beautifully made.. it's a dreamlike movie.

The story goes slow but the growing tension didn't let it be boring for a second.

It's been made very simple, short, yet absolutely complete.

Hey, boys and girls! Your new word for the day is "auteur".

An auteur is an artist with a distinctive approach, usually a film director whose filmmaking control is so unbounded and personal that the director is likened to the "author" of the film, thus manifesting the director's unique style or thematic focus.

You can look at a minute of film and know instantaneously if it was made by Alfred Hitchcock. Or Federico Fellini. Or Fritz Lang. Or Agnes Varda. Or Stanley Kubrick. Or Jean-Luc Godard (yowza!).

Marco Berger is an auteur. At the age of 47 (as of August 2025) he has written and directed nine feature films, collaborated on two more, and has just finished his 10th solo feature for release this year.

Yes: I own them all. My personal favourite (so far) is the gloriously lyrical "Hawaii", which may be the single most romantic film ever made.

He established his style and trademarks early on: he takes his time, but there is something to see in every shot no matter the duration; he concentrates on the relationship of two leading characters, or two at a time when there are many more; his screenplays are rich and hilarious when called for, or quiet (sometimes disturbingly so) and introspective, but he only lets you hear what is necessary to hear; he uses colours wisely; his use of music is superb (and has, to date, worked with the same composer on all of his films). He finds utter beauty in the most ordinary-looking men (yes, he is an openly queer director, and his sexual identity finds its way into most - but not all - of his films).

"Ausente", his second feature film, has taken quite a beating here. Why is that? Did you want to see Sebastián fall for Martín's advances? Did you not see or feel the tension between these two characters? Did you not feel Sebastián's grief, not only over Martín's fate but also over how he treated him?

So shut off your Smartphone, chill out, and screen it again and listen and watch closely: is the unexpected death an accident or suicide? And those last shots: fantasies? Memories?

I find it to be a film of almost overwhelming suspense, and, ultimately, profoundly moving.

P. S. It won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the Berlin International Film Festival.

It could represent a dessapointment when you expect a clear, precise, mind twisting film about a real delicate subject. But it is , first, a correct movie, using the suggestion as basic tool for a not comfortable conflict, love, seduction and temptation story. A teacher. And his student. A night and a mistake based on lie. And a powerful kick to put all elements in the right order. "Ausente" is just a beautiful film. Not a revelation, not the film who can provoke revolutions. But a honest story who seems endless because it is the only reasonable way for give this sort of story. So, a beautiful film.