27/09/2007

After Héctor, Gracia Querejeta returns to once again amaze audiences with 7 mesas (de billar francés), dedicated to women, their labours and their passion.

Upon losing her father and husband – the former under mysterious circumstances and the latter after he fled to escape arrest – Angela (Maribel Verdú) decides to reopen her father’s pool hall. She is helped by Charo (Blanca Portillo, star of Volver [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Agustín Almodóvar
interview: Carmen Maura
interview: Pedro Almodóvar
interview: Pénélope Cruz
film profile]), the companion and victim of Angel’s father’s lies.

7 mesas (de billar francés) is the crusade of two women against the oppression of a man who conditions their lives even after his death. Raw, harsh and at times tendentious, like life itself, the story is rendered solid and interesting by a nearly perfect screenplay, written by talented young Spanish screenwriter David Planell, who will soon director his first feature. The only flaw is the music by Pascal Gaigne, who has become more of a franchise than a composer.

The film also carries the indelible imprint of hearty, beloved and immortal producer Elias Querejeta, the director’s father, in terms of quality, commercial appeal and content. Surprisingly, the film was co-produced by Antena 3 and regional broadcasters from throughout all of Spain.

Scheduled for an October 5 release by Universal, 7 mesas will surely be a rival to the “boss” of Spanish women’s cinema, Iciar Bollaín, nominated for the 2007 Best Film Goya.

(Translated from Italian)