The Bride

Greetings again from the darkness. The pitch for this movie might have come across as blending a Greek tragedy with a romance novel, and then adding a dash of revenge. Fortunately director Paula Ortiz's vision for the Federico Garcia Lorca play "Bodas de sangre" is more poetic and lyrical than such an overview would suggest.

Love triangles are the core of many stories and movies, but it's the opening sequence here that clues us in that the trouble has already occurred, and though it removes some of the suspense of "what", it certainly sets the stage for an interesting "how" and "why".

Beautiful Inma Cuesta plays Novia (billed only as the titular bride) who is engaged to Asier Etxeandia (billed only as Novio, the groom). The abundance of family stress (on both sides) has little to do with the wedding plans, and more to do with Leonardo (Alex Garcia). Leonardo is more than the local hunk who is always lurking about on horseback; he's also the third wheel who can't let go of his desire for Novia … in spite of his young child and pregnant wife. To make things messier, Novia seems to answer his heightened desire for her with her own uncontrollable passion for him.

It's Yin and Yang. Safe and Dangerous. The bride's conflicted choice leads the groom's mother (Goya winner Luisa Gavasa) to be a foreboding presence throughout, and keeps most of the village on edge. Additionally, there is an element of mysticism as Maria Alfonsa Rossa appears periodically as the figure of death – and we are never quite sure of the motivations behind her advice.

Goya winner Miguel Amoedo provides beautiful cinematography that balances between fantasy, harsh realities, and the romance of the moment. There are many intimate close-ups, as well as some stunning desert wide shots of Leonardo riding the horse. The score and soundtrack are terrific, including Soledad Velez with a haunting version of Leonard Cohen's "Take this Waltz".

The concept of destiny vs. choice hovers over most scenes, and the twisted family and childhood histories give the film a Shakespearian feel. Last year, the film received numerous Goya nominations (including Ms. Cuesta, Ms. Ortiz, Mr. Garcia) are resulted in the wins for Ms. Gavasa and Mr. Amoedo. It may not make the best Valentine's Day date movie, but it is an interesting watch from the romance-tragedy-revenge-horseback genre.

Visually stunning and emotionally charged Spanish drama that delves into the complexities of love and passion.

First and foremost, Inma Cuesta's performance as the eponymous "Novia" (Bride) is captivating. She portrays the character's emotional turmoil and inner conflict with remarkable depth and vulnerability.

The film's cinematography is a standout feature, capturing the rugged and breathtaking landscapes of rural Spain. The visual storytelling adds an extra layer of beauty to the narrative.

La Novia explores themes of forbidden love, loyalty, and the consequences of past decisions. It weaves a tale of passion and tragedy, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer.

The emotional intensity of the film is heightened by a haunting musical score that perfectly complements the story's dramatic beats.

The supporting cast, including Álex García and Asier Etxeandia, deliver solid performances, adding depth to the complex web of relationships.

However, some viewers may find the film's pacing slow, as it takes its time to delve into the intricacies of the characters' emotions and relationships.

In conclusion, La Novia is a visually striking and emotionally charged drama that immerses viewers in a world of passion and heartache. With Inma Cuesta's compelling performance, the stunning cinematography, and the film's exploration of forbidden love, it's a cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impression.

If you appreciate atmospheric and emotionally-driven films with a touch of romance, La Novia is a must-watch. It's a poignant and visually captivating journey into the complexities of human relationships and the power of love.

in many senses. not all easy to seduce. slow motion cinematography, landscapes from Capadoccia, poetic images, admirable presence of Maria Alfonsa Rosso and Garcia Lorca play atmosphere. a film who must admire ignoring the story because the first scenes are enough for know the evolution of the relations between characters to the tragic end. and the accuracy to the play is sacrificed for the noble desire to give an art film. result - "La novia" is one of films for a reduced target. a public who discovers more than the good intentions of the director or the changes by the play. a public seduced by atmosphere. by poetry of image. by the similarities with other tragic love stories. a film seduced by costumes and air and broken glass and costumes and old earrings. nostalgia. and justice.

The film crew has shot a poem rather than a movie. You would either love or hate this piece; there is most probably no middle ground. I am personally in the former camp. The story itself is as familiar as an ancient Greek tragedy: namely, the sinfully intense love and the revengeful fate. The images are so captivating that makes you feel the characters exist out of space-time. This is highlighted when the heroin encounters "herself" more than a few times throughout the film. If you love poetry in images, then you will not easily forget the beautiful scenes and that primordial sadness arising from the unavoidable fate.

This is a Passionate and Extreme Movie plenty of love , drama , tragedy and death . It deals with the story of a love triangle between two young men (Asier Etxeandia , Alex Garcia) and a woman (Imma Cuesta) , the Bride , who is a Triumph of Beauty. Inseparable since childhood, the Bride and the Groom share a gentle, and yet, ardent passion, stronger than the desolate, exposed and stark land that encircles them and perhaps even stronger than love itself. And the Bride follows through the air, like a blade of grass . Then the Neighbor (Ana Fernández) comes to chat with The Mother (Luisa Gavasa , Goya Academy Award winner ) , and reveals to her that The Bride was previously involved with a man named Leonardo Felix, a relative of the men who murdered The Mother's husband. The Mother, who still hates the Felix family, is furious, but decides to visit the girl before bringing the matter up with The Groom. But the lovers carried away by their passion defying all moral and social habits . Their disobedience will have unexpected consequences. Now riddled with indecision, the fair Bride is due to marry the gentle and stalwart Groom, however, the unconventional Leonardo, a married man (married to Leticia Dolera) with a baby and a mutual childhood friend, still feels the same unrestful, reckless, still, achingly hopeless passion for the Bride. Eventually, as the Bride silently prepares for her wedding , the feeble flesh will soon succumb to carnal yearning , devoured by deception and to the long-boiling passion .

A few of the themes present in ¨Blood Wedding¨ are the cycle of life, the progression of time, conflicted choices, anguish , deception, fate, forbidden yearnings, unappeased desires and nature. The unavoidable fate of three lovers standing powerless before the true nature of man , along with a Freudian reading of the play reveals Lorca to be exploring human nature. The theme of choice is evident in the characters of Leonardo, the bride, and the bridegroom.The theme of fate also ties into the themes of choice and deception. The bride's choice to marry the groom, despite the fact that she still loves Leonardo. This is ironic, because she attempts to choose both men and loses both of them instead. Fate plays an important role in the plot of Blood Wedding, with its plot twists and final outcome. Finally, the theme of nature is present in Blood Wedding: the moon, the trees, the river, death (in the form of the beggar woman), the vineyard, orange blossoms, etc. These references to nature suggest that there is something predetermined in human nature, and relates back to fate. Main cast are pretty good , a decent trio protagonist : Inma Cuesta , Asier Etxeandia , Álex García . Frankly marvelous support cast such as : Luisa Gavasa , Carlos Álvarez-Nóvoa , Leticia Dolera Ana Fernández , Trujillo , María Alfonsa Rosso , Manuela Vellés , Mariana Cordero . It contains a luxurious and brilliant cinematography by Migue Amoedo , set in the middle of the pale desert and barren land . Being shot on location in Cappadoccia, Turkey , Monasterio de Casbas, Huesca, Aragón , El Temple, Huesca, Aragón , Los Monegros, Zaragoza , Aragón, Spain . Sensitive and rousing musical score by synthesizer , being composed by Shigeru Umebayashi . The motion picture was professionally directed by Paula Ortiz .

The play has been adapted as stage as cinemas as TV and translated into English and retitled Bitter Oleander, had a brief Broadway run in 1935. The play was adapted as a Spanish film in 1938, with Margarita Xirgu in the starring role she'd previously played on stage.The play was adapted as an Italian film in 1941, also titled Blood Wedding.The 1957 opera Bluthochzeit by Wolfgang Fortner is adapted from Henrique Beck's German translation of the play.In 1959, BBC Television made an adaptation of the play. In 1964, Vérnász, an operatic adaptation of the play with a score by Hungarian composer Sándor Szokolay, was first produced in Budapest. The opera has been produced again in the years since. In 1973, the play was produced in English translation at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in Manhattan, New York.The play was adapted as a Moroccan film in 1977, also titled Blood Wedding. In 1981, Spanish film director Carlos Saura directed a dance film based on the play, also titled Blood Wedding.In 1986, the BBC World Service broadcast a radio adaptation of the play starring Anna Massey, Juliet Stevenson, and Alan Rickman.A 2006 Haitian operatic adaptation of the play, titled Le Maryaj Lenglensou, was produced by Dutch filmmaker Hans Fels with a score by Haitian composer Iphares Blain. A documentary about this production premiered at the 2007 Netherlands Film Festival.In 2007, BBC Radio 3 broadcast a new production of the play, using the Ted Hughes translation and featuring Barbara Flynn as The Mother. Finally , in 2015, this Spanish film adaptation titled The Bride directed by Paula Ortiz was released.