El mar

On Majorca at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, several children are forced to witness the execution of resistance fighters by fascist supporters of Franco. Shortly afterwards, the son of one of those executed kills the perpetrator’s son and then leaps to his own death. Among the children who see this terrible incident are Ramallo, Manuel and Francisca. Ten years later, these three meet again at a sanatorium for respiratory diseases where Ramallo and Manuel, who suffer from tuberculosis, are being treated. Francisca has become a nun and is taking care of the patients. Ramallo has only recently been admitted to the clinic; his bragging entertains the other patients and gives everyone the impression that he must be a real ladies’ man. He doesn’t let on to anyone that, in the past, he has been known to give his favours to other men in exchange for money. Manuel isn’t impressed by Ramallo’s affected behaviour. Deeply religious, he seeks solace in prayer. Ramallo pours scorn over his two schoolfriends’ religious faith. Despite his violent streak, Ramallo is not insensitive to Manuel’s needs and asks Carmen, the caretaker’s wife, to look after him. Carmen, who has herself succumbed to the odd impure thought in the presence of so many young men, is more than happy to assist and devotes herself to the task. However, the sicker Manuel becomes, the more he seeks refuge in his spirituality – and the more he is tortured by his unfulfilled passion for Ramallo… —Berlinale