Paul Garcia did not like it either). But ‘the Red Virgin’ has resulted in a great reconciliation with both critics and the public, and both coincide in one thing: ask how it is possible that Najwa Nimri is not nominated for the Goya.
But we go in parts. ‘The Red Virgin’ tells us the real story of Hildegart Leocadia Georgina
Hermenegilda María del Pilar Rodríguez Carballeira or, rather, by Aurora Rodríguez Carballeira, her
Mother and the character played by Nimri. The unfortunate life of Hildegart Rodríguez Carballeira (we better use the short version) had already moved to the cinema on other occasions, from the mythical film by Fernando Fernán Gómez to projects less known as the short film by Sheyla Pye ‘The Red Virgin’ or the documentary ‘A Virxe Roxa’ by Marcos Nine; or even, through books written by authors such as Fernando Arrabal or Almudena Grandes.
But the story is so powerful that a new version was no problem. And much less when the proposal is not to make a biopic itself, but to mix issues such as obsession, ideological purism, generational projections, the birth of desire, mental illness, family violence or, also, how can you press stronger The female corset someone who a priori wants to unleash it.
Scenes such as dance or final confrontation are key, but also highlight the ideas to represent the attraction between Hildegart and Abel, or for that perfection that cracks from the statue. And it is that to the direction of Ortiz there is a hand -to -hand script between Eduard Sola (recently awarded with a Gaudí for ‘House in Flames’ with a vibrant speech) and Clara Roquet (the director of ‘Libertad’, nothing more and nothing Less) and, of course, the majestic interpretation of Najwa Nimri. The Pamplonesa has lovers and detractors almost that, equally, both personally and in their interpretations, but I think that even their haters will not be able to deny that, every time it appears on the screen, its magnetism makes your attention increase. Aurora is probably one of his best jobs, exploding when necessary, with subtlety when he plays, and with the ability to keep you in tension continuously and move on to a real terror at certain times (even something extremely difficult in this story, which is to keep a little one tenderness space).
But it is also that its counterpart is up to it and more: Alba Planas (‘Best Days’, ‘Skam Spain’) is fantastic both in the absolutely submissive Hildegart of the beginning and showing the gradual change that will collide more and more with the intentions with the intentions of Aurora. In non -protagonist roles we must highlight the work of the always effective Aixa Villagrán (of the best of ‘The Snow Girl 2’, which we will comment shortly) and that of Patrick Criado, in a very different role to that toughe They usually give it. Both, in fact, are the most human part of the film, and, therefore, of Hildegart herself, causing the tragedy to be even greater.
All this is also rounded by a soundtrack composed of Juanma Latorre and Guille Galván by Vetusta Morla, and the titular song, composed and performed by Maria Arnal, is one of the favorites to take the Goya for the best original song. ‘The Red Virgin’ is nominated in 8 more categories, including best direction and best cast actress. Nimri, Planas, Criado and the script have been left out, but it will be necessary to see if this Sunday there is luck and come Ortiz and Villagrán.
