DIAS SIN LUZ was the second short film by Jaume Balaguero after ALICIA in 1994. It is very short and easily available on DVD only in Spain and Germany so I will go into spoilers in my review. If you have somehow access to it and not watched it stop reading now or skip the next paragraph!
The film is narrated by the main character, whom we see as a young boy. He first tells us of the night he was born, during a horrible thunderstorm, probably the worst and darkest ever, and how that already was a bad sign that meant that his days in life would be without light. Then he tells us how he lost both his parents. His mother once went into the cellar and simply never returned ... And his father died from biological warfare in some unnamed war. After that he was adopted by a strange woman who often tortured and humiliated her husband while wearing a dominatrix outfit. One day she beats the man so hard that he dies and after that the little boy is forced to take his place ...
DIAS SIN LUZ in many ways foreshadows Balaguero's later theatrical efforts LOS SIN NOMBRE and DARKNESS. There is already the recurring theme of disturbing violence towards children and the film has a similar look. Even the narration reminded me of the phone calls the mother receives in LOS SIN NOMBRE.
Of the two short films Balaguero made before stepping into features, I prefer ALICIA because of it's disturbing imagery and symbolism. But that doesn't mean that DIAS SIN LUZ is a minor effort. Quite the opposite, it is a fascinating glimpse into what makes Balaguero tick as a filmmaker and offers a view of his creativity free from studio influences.
The film is narrated by the main character, whom we see as a young boy. He first tells us of the night he was born, during a horrible thunderstorm, probably the worst and darkest ever, and how that already was a bad sign that meant that his days in life would be without light. Then he tells us how he lost both his parents. His mother once went into the cellar and simply never returned ... And his father died from biological warfare in some unnamed war. After that he was adopted by a strange woman who often tortured and humiliated her husband while wearing a dominatrix outfit. One day she beats the man so hard that he dies and after that the little boy is forced to take his place ...
DIAS SIN LUZ in many ways foreshadows Balaguero's later theatrical efforts LOS SIN NOMBRE and DARKNESS. There is already the recurring theme of disturbing violence towards children and the film has a similar look. Even the narration reminded me of the phone calls the mother receives in LOS SIN NOMBRE.
Of the two short films Balaguero made before stepping into features, I prefer ALICIA because of it's disturbing imagery and symbolism. But that doesn't mean that DIAS SIN LUZ is a minor effort. Quite the opposite, it is a fascinating glimpse into what makes Balaguero tick as a filmmaker and offers a view of his creativity free from studio influences.
