The Spanish Film Festival opens this week at Cinema Paradiso.

OUTinPerth’s film reviewer Lezly Herbert highlights the film ‘Hidden Away’ which is part of the program.

Hidden Away (M)

Directed by Mikel Rueda

Set in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao, 14 year old Rafa (German Alcarazu) finds himself at odds with his mates who like checking out the bitches and planning to hit on the hot ones.

They pressure him to make out with a particular girl but he is more taken with another 14 year old boy by the name of Ibrahim (Adil Koukouh).

Rafa and Ibrahim’s paths cross continually – at school, at the local nightclub, on the street and at the swimming pool on opposing water polo teams – but there is a cultural divide. Spanish born Rafa lives with his family and Ibrahim is an illegal Moroccan immigrant living at a hostel. Rafa begins to avoid his friends and tracks Ibrahim to the hostel.

As their friendship develops, the close-up camerawork connects the audience with the intimate looks they exchange. But life seems to intrude at the wrong times. Firstly Rafa’s friends catch up with the two and then Ibrahim faces deportation. The two decide to flee but this dark drama is filmed mainly at night and it would seem that the young love is doomed.

Hidden Away is part of the Spanish Film Festival which screens at Cinema Paradiso from Thursday 23 April to Wednesday 6 May.

Check out www.spanishfilmfestival.com.au or www.lunapalace.com.au for more information.

Lezly Herbert