desertfilmsociety
presents
the Coachella Valley Premiere of
TAKE MY EYES (Te Doy Mis Ojos)
(One-time preview prior to opening in L.A. and N.Y.)
A New Yorker Films Release
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Camelot Theatres - Doors Open at 9:00 a.m. Coffee & Muffins Available Film Introduction at 9:20 a.m. Screening Begins at 9:30 a.m. Q & A Session Following the Screening DFS
Members present 2006 Membership Card
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| Synopsis:
Take my Eyes (Te doy mis ojos) - Spanish Director Iciar Bollain tackles the harsh reality of domestic violence in Spain in this gritty drama, focusing on a woman’s personal battle between love and fear, as well as raising interesting questions about the wider cultural picture of a patriarchal society. Scooping seven Goya awards (Spain's equivalent of the Oscars), Bollain's dramatic portrayal of Pilar, played brilliantly by Laia Marull, as a woman trapped in a relationship with an insecure and aggressive husband, Antonio, (Luis Tosar), owes more than a nod to the films of Ken Loach, in particular Nil By Mouth. Interestingly, Bollain has actually written a book about the famous British director and is married to his friend and collaborator, Paul Laverty. The drama and tension revolves entirely around the two leads as they attempt to get a hold on their lives, but are restrained by a relationship torn between passion and violence. In Tosar’s case he is undergoing group therapy to contain his aggressive behaviour, while Marull attempts to construct a life of her own as a museum curator but finds it hard to escape the overpowering shadow cast by her controlling husband. The conflict of interests is felt not just by the characters but also by us - the viewer. Like Loach's cinema, the emphasis is on serious issues, seriously treated, hinting at the inescapable complexities of loving an abuser. However, there are also fleeting moments of comedy in rather unexpected circumstances. During the anger management sessions, despite the seriousness of the situation, you can’t help but chuckle as the men attempt to deal with their aggression towards women by removing their built-in gendered stereotypes and getting in touch with their feminine side, simply by asking the wife: “How was your day?” - By Chris Evans GENRE: Drama RUNNING TIME: 115 Minutes LANGUAGE: Spanish with English Sub-Titles NOTE: Contains strong domestic violence, strong language. |
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