Sobreviviré (1999)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Directors:

Alfonso Albacete
David Menkes

Writers:

Alfonso Albacete (writer)
Lucía Etxebarría (writer)

Release Date:

19 November 1999 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Marga (Emma Suarez) is having a streak of bad luck. Through her friendship with Rosa (Mirta Ibarra)...

Plot Keywords:

Gay Interest | Depression | Bisexuality | Spain

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Emma Suárez	...	Marga
Juan Diego Botto	...	Iñaqui
Mirta Ibarra	...	Rosa
Rosana Pastor	...	Trini
Manuel Manquiña	...	Rolando
Àlex Brendemühl	...	José
Javier Martín	...	Carlos
Adrià Collado	...	Roberto
Elena Irureta	...	Marivi
Alberto San Juan	...	Oscar
José Manuel Cervino	...	Fernando
Maite Blasco	...	Carmen
Elena Ballesteros
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Montserrat Alcoverro	...	Teresa
Carmen Arbex	...	Elena
Pedro Aunión	...	Estudiante
Libby Brien	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Omar Butler
Manel Castillejos	...	Hombre Inem
Ramón Enrich Borrellas	...	Ginecéloge Parto
María Esteve	...	Monitora
Lucía Etxebarría	...	Herself
Quique Guaza	...	José, joven
Fernando Guillén	...	Tomás
Angelita Heredia	...	Cantante Boda
Philip Hersh	...	Carlos (voice: English version)
Valentín Hidalgo	...	Ginecéloge
Inma Isla	...	ATS
Raúl Jiménez		(as Raúl García)
Duna Jové	...	Marga joven
David Laborda	...	Joven 2
Esperanza López Tamayo	...	Portera
Carlos Lucas	...	Abuelo
Dani Martín	...	Joven 1
José Antonio Menchen	...	Padre accidente
Patricia Mendi	...	Vecina
Maite Merino	...	Madre accidente
Ivan Nieto-Balboa	...	Joven Grandes Almacenas
Pilar Ordóñez	...	Empleada temporal
Francesc Pagés	...	Médico Accidente
Gustavo Pastor	...	Alberto
Pepe Patatín
David Pomares	...	Joven 3
Juan Prado	...	Camarero
Núria Prims	...	Esther
Ana Rayo	...	Peluquera
Montse G. Romeu	...	Comadrona (as Montse García Romeu)
Raúl Sánchez	...	Chico cafetería
Ruth Sánchez	...	Chica cafetería
Paula Soldevila	...	Empleada INEM
Marta Suárez	...	Rocío
Fausto Talón	...	Perfero
Fernando Tejero	...	Joven 4
Paz Vega	...	Azafata
Alfredo Villa	...	Novio de Teresa

Also Known As:

I Will Survive (Europe: English title) (festival title)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | France:U

Company:

Antena 3 Televisión

Movie Connections:

Followed by I Love You Baby (2001)

Soundtrack:

Escuela de calor

A Saucy and Tender Story of Love, Recriminations, and Waiting for the Music!

SOBREVIVIRE (I WILL SURVIVE) is a fine little film from Spain circa 1999 that because of recent important legislation in that country becomes even more pertinent than when it was made. Co-written and directed by Alfonso Albacete, with assistance from David Menkes and Lucía Etxebarría, this is a fresh look at relationships and the human needs and the compromises faced in the search for happiness. SOBREVIVIRE is probably the healthiest and most intelligent examination of pan sexuality: it takes on tough issues and allows them to nurture the comedy that is life! After an introduction of her childhood idiosyncrasies we meet the adult Marga (the superb Emma Suárez) wholly in love with Roberto (Adrià Collado), joyfully creating a home for their upcoming marriage. There is a car accident and Marga is injured but Roberto is killed, devastating Marga who has learned that she is pregnant with Roberto's child. At the same time she loses her job due to her disruptive friend Trini (Rosana Pastor) and must strike out on her own. She is denied government funds until she gives birth to her child and in desperation she falls into a video store ownership and takes on a Cuban au pair Rosa (Mirta Ibarra) who lightens not only her domestic load but also her spirit. Some years pass and Marga and Rosa become fast friends.

As Marga begins to feel the loneliness of being a single mom she meets handsome Iñaqui (Juan Diego Botto) in her video store. Iñaqui is recovering from a breakup with his boyfriend Oscar (Alberto San Juan) and is as attracted to Marga as she is to him. Iñaqui informs Marga he is gay, a fact that Rosa and other friends have already prepared her for. In full knowledge of each other's pasts they embark on a relationship that flowers with a subtlety and tenderness that allows us to feel the anxieties of each while letting the innate comedy shine through.

Iñaqui tries to forget his sexual orientation and is even able to override some temptations that occur. Marga fears that eventually the warmly human Iñaqui will eventually leave her and they admit to each other that neither has 'heard the music' that is supposed to come with romance. Rosa meanwhile has found love with a performer, Rolando (Manuel Manquiña) and convinces Marga to fly to Cuba to be part of her marriage. When Marga returns she realizes her devotion to Iñaqui, and since that devotion is mutual is shared, the two marry. How the film ends is magical yet real and deserves to be discovered by each viewer. Suffice it to say that it is a very realistic and intelligent ending.

Each of the actors in this bouncy little film is excellent with special kudos to Emma Suárez, a truly fine actress. Yet all of the other main characters are superbly handled and the supporting cast is equally fine, especially the 'together couple' José (Alex Brendemühl) and Carlos (Javier Martín). The music, the sets, the pacing, the editing and especially the direction are first class. This is one of those little movies that deserves a very wide audience. In Spanish with English subtitles. Highly recommended. Grady Harp