From writers/directors Juan González and Nando Martínez comes The Fantastic Golem Affairs, an absurdist Spanish sci-fi comedy that was showcased internationally at the 2023 film festivals, including Fantasia and Fantastic Fest (Austin, TX), among others. The film explores friendship and relationships, particularly those between parents, but in a manner that diverges from the conventional portrayal of these themes. In this story, the viewer will see what appear to be regular, everyday people living their lives, and yet, not as “normal” as initially thought by a few people. The film is very amusing in the first half and slows down a bit, but it remains different enough with its commentary on life, love, and friendship to make it worth watching.
The film begins with Juan (Brays Efe) and David (David Menéndez) playing a game of charades on the rooftop of an apartment/condo building. They continued drinking the morning after partying hard the night before. While David is really trying to impress Juan with his skill with charades, he accidentally falls to his death. His landing on a car on the street below does not result in scenes we usually see. David is not alive; Juan is in disbelief.
The discovery and tragedy sent Juan on a journey he was not expecting. Yes, there is grief, but he also wants to uncover the truth behind David’s existence. They were childhood friends. A funeral ceremony is held for what is left of David, with the priest blessing the remains. By the look on the priest’s face and that of the other onlookers, this is not their first time doing this.
Then come the legalities Juan is now facing, including inheritance being questioned, bill collectors, and potential lawsuits, among others. He must dig further into what the truth is before he agrees to anything, and there is a whole cast of characters to contend with at every step. His investigation into David goes deeper into unexpected territory, including his father.
Cast: Brays Efe, Bruna Cusí, Luis Tosar, Javier Botet, Anna Castillo, Nao Albet, Roberto Álamo, Roger Coma, Tito Valverde, David Menéndez
98 mins | Spain | In Spanish with English Subtitles | Comedy | Unrated
Fantastic Fest Presents at Alamo Drafthouse on August 25 & 26 (screenings include Austin and Dallas). A theatrical release is scheduled to start on August 29th and continue into September, with the list of participating theaters available at https://lnk.at/golemaffairs.
Source: Gluon Media