53 WINTER DAYS weaves three naturalistic short pieces about troubled lives - one psychological, one emotional, one social - into an unexpectedly resonant, understated whole – the impact of which lingers long after the credits roll.
Three people waiting for a bus one winter’s night look on as a man abandons a dog and drives off. Mila (Sampietro), a teacher on a year’s leave of absence after having been attacked by one of her students; Celso (Brendemühl), a security guard, married, father of a son, who has serious trouble making ends meet, and who is on a point of learning that he’s about to be a father again, but this time to twins; and Valeria (Clotet), a cello student with a murky family/ love relationship. Leaving the bus stop, we follow all three separately as they set out on a journey which leads each to confront their fears and frustrations and, ultimately, to take an extreme, life-changing decision.
Powerful and moving viewing, Judith Colell’s cross-cutting social drama, her second film after WOMEN (the smash hit of the 2000 Festival), proves an impressive calling card and marks her as a director to watch.
Drama, Spain, 91min. (18+)
By: Judith Colell
With: Mercedes Sampietro, Àlex Brendemühl, Silvia Munt, Joaquim de Almeida.