UN HIJO BY NACHO LA CASA: GROWING UP WITHOUT FITTING IN

The type of stories that always move me are the ones that deal with a mother’s love, and after several days in Málaga I still hadn’t seen one that mainly explored this theme. Tuesday evening rolled around and, after a long day, the time had finally come to watch ‘Un Hijo’, the new film directed by Nacho La Casa. With high expectations following its warm reception at the Cairo Film Festival, I took my seat in front of the cast, but far more important were some absolutely lovely ladies who will never read this but who sat with me throughout the film, weeping their eyes out at every scene. I just loved them so much.

In this adaptation of the book of the same name by Alejandro Palomas, we follow Guille’s (Ian Cortegoso) story, a boy who is bullied at school and is going through a devastating situation at home, with his mother working in another country and an absent father (Hugo Silva) who does not accept him for who he is. María (Macarena García), a psychologist who works at the school where Guille studies, will help him cope with the situation and try to understand what is going through his mind by analysing the drawings he gives her.

When it comes to the film’s cast, it’s impossible to say a bad thing about any of their performances. As always, Macarena García is spectacular in the role of this endearing psychologist, but it’s undoubtedly Hugo Silva who has delivered one of his finest performances ever. I don’t want to give anything away, but the development of his character and the way he portrays him throughout the film is simply brilliant, and I hope to see him nominated for awards this year. Of course, the young actor Ian Cortegoso does a great job in his first role, and I can see a bright future for him in the industry.

Despite being a story where there isn’t much action, the editing is very good and the film has beautiful cinematography. Its 94-minute running time is just right so that no detail that might be relevant is missed. I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m beyond excited to do it as I loved the script and that makes me want to rediscover the story.

After shedding a sea of tears with those ladies I mentioned at the start, who kindly gave me a tissue for which I’m very grateful, it was time for the film to end and, of course, to applaud. But this was no ordinary round of applause, as little by little everyone in the cinema stood up, building up to what became a huge ovation for Macarena, Nacho and Ian, who were all there absolutely thrilled by the warm reception of the movie.

‘Un Hijo’ is a film that appears simple on the surface, but carries a very deep message that lingers with the viewer long after watching it. Beyond the story of the child and the struggles he faces, what really stands out is the importance of a mother’s love, even when she is not physically present. The film shows how that love continues to influence, guide and sustain, even in the face of difficulties. Ultimately, a mother’s love is not always directly visible, but it is there in the small gestures, in the way we face problems, and in the way we learn to accept ourselves. And perhaps that is the most important idea the film communicates: even in the most difficult moments for a child, a mother’s love is that bond capable of holding everything together.

Words by @joaquinxbc