Empty Spain is scrutinized with a positive outlook by Miguel Santesmases and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón in 'Tierra Baja'
New Film 'Lowlands' Offers Hope Amidst Spain's Depopulation Crisis
Director Miguel Santesmases steps into the cinematic scene with his latest creation, 'Lowlands', starring Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, shining a spotlight on Spain's rural areas facing the brink of abandonment, particularly in Teruel's municipalities.
In an interview with Europa Press, Santesmases shares his vision for the film, "I didn't want this film to be about the grimness of these towns. It's a positive and beautiful proposal that aims to give visibility to places that might disappear in the future."
Drawn from his own past experiences, the project offers a heartfelt exploration of Belmonte de San José and Alcañiz, areas he lived in as a child. He expresses, "I was eager to craft a story set in these places."
The film's narrative revolves around the reunion of Carmen (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) and her old love, Eduardo, played by Pere Arquillué. Santesmases explains, "I believed this narrative would be powerful, but I wanted to set it in places where human life and economic activity are scarce."
Originating six years ago, the film was finally completed during the pandemic, a challenge Santesmases likened to "crossing the Himalayas sideways."
The movie weaves together the real-world struggles of a screenwriter relocating to the countryside with the challenges of living off one's imagination and leaving everything behind. According to Santesmases, "Carmen's perspective on the world is directly tied to her imagination."
Choosing Aitana Sánchez-Gijón for the lead role, Santesmases describes her as "one of Spain's great actresses" who isn't frequently seen on the big screen. "I found it intriguing to have a dominant character who is a crucial figure in Spanish cinema, yet not often in the limelight," he says.
A PARTNERSHIP "SEPARATED BY A HAIR'S BREADTH"
The Goya Honor 2025 recipient, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, acknowledges her strong connection with Carmen, despite their differences. "When I read the script, I immediately knew exactly what Carmen was going through," she shares.
Among the film's key elements, Aitana highlights the blurred line between reality and fiction, as well as the captivating emptiness of the landscape. "We filmed in solitude, surrounded by silence and vast hills, undisturbed by any human trace," she recalls.
A take on Spain's rural life, 'Lowlands' promises to be a compelling blend of heartache and renewal, urging viewers to acknowledge the significance of rural existence in an ever-evolving world.
Santesmases, the director of 'Lowlands', seeks to highlight Spain's desolate rural areas in his newest film, focusing on Teruel's municipalities. He shares that the movie is a 'positive and beautiful proposal' aimed at providing visibility to these potentially vanishing locations.
'Lowlands' explores the lives of characters such as Carmen, played by Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, who returns to her rural hometown for a reunion with her past love. The movie juxtaposes this human connection with the stark emptiness of the landscape.
Aitana, who identifies with the character of Carmen, praises the blurred line between reality and fiction in the film. She reminisces about their solitary filming experience among the silent hills and vast open spaces of the rural landscape.
Sánchez-Gijón also acknowledges the partnership she shares with Carmen, despite their differences, as she seamlessly portrays a dominant figure in Spanish cinema not often seen in the limelight.
The movie promises to present a unique blend of fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, books, entertainment, and outdoor-living, as it offers an insight into the lifestyle of rural Spain and its people. This perspective invites viewers to reflect on the importance of maintaining a balance between urban and rural life in an ever-evolving world.
As the film premieres, 'Lowlands' may become a beacon of hope and renewal, serving as a testament to Santesmases' vision for shedding light on Spain's lowland regions facing the brink of abandonment.
