actor and director
by Douglas Messerli
Àlex Aguado (director) Barcelona des de
dalt (Barcelona from Above) / 2017 [9 minutes]
David, who clearly hasn’t thought his story over that carefully, is a
bit embarrassed, particularly since it’s about a guy who turns invisible.
Regaining the camera, David takes his friend to a high point overlooking the
city, suggesting that this is where he wants one of the shots.
Finally, David takes out the script and hands it to Marti, and together
they do a short scene about a scientist and a magic potion. Finishing the
scene, Marti suddenly moves toward David and kisses him on the lips. David
pulls back violently, Marti arguing that it was in the script. Still David
takes umbrage for the act.
David asks why Marti has insisted in joining him in the first place, but
Marti refuses to respond, instead leafing briefly through the script, surprised
and even angered that Frank, the invisible man, turns out to be the bad guy,
when everyone knows it has to be the scientist.
Even more angered, David pushes the script out of Marti’s hand as the
papers go flying, Marti admitting that he isn’t quite sure why he has joined
David.
David eventually walks up to the old bunkers, which Marti keeps
describing as an anti-aircraft site. Marti, having gathered up the pages,
follows.
The two boys sit side by side. David admits that he wanted another
ending, Marti describing it as “a bit cheesy, badly written.” David says that
directing is his thing.
Marti announces that he won’t let David do the film because the bunkers
are anti-aircraft positions, not bunkers, while David argues they’re bunkers to
him. Call them what you like, Marti argues, but they still are what they are,
just like Frank, even if invisible, still exists. “He’ll be as tall, skinny, as
much of an asshole as he is, and even being invisible won’t change him.”
David turns away. But it is Marti who apologizes for having become so
invisible. David takes away the script and tears it up. He puts his hand on
Marti’s shoulder as the credits rise.
Clearly these two boys have been in a relationship that has broken up,
the film a kind a possible metaphor for what has taken place. But now that
they’re back together again, apparently there is no need for art, as they see
the situation anew from “above Barcelona.”
Inevitably, Spanish director Àlex Aguado’s short film has, with its
evocative ending, lost all purpose as well.
Los Angeles, October 13, 2023
Reprinted from World Cinema Review (October
2013).
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