Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival: Salve María incl. Cuarentena

Directed and co-written by Mar Coll, and adapted from Basque writer Katixa Agirre’s novel Amek ez dute, Spanish thriller Salve María tells the story of a promising young author and new mother struggling to adjust to and accept motherhood while grappling with her identity as a writer.

The film, which competed for the Golden Leopard at this year’s Locarno festival, follows María (Laura Weissmahr) as she navigates the inner turmoil of caring for her newborn while simultaneously struggling with anxiety and frustration. She faces the challenges of sleep deprivation, demanding everyday tasks, an absent partner, and her passion for writing. The constant sound of her baby’s cries echoes in the background, amplifying her exhaustion and stress.

Feminine subjectivity is deeply intertwined with emotions; for women like María, feelings and emotions are often interconnected across personal, professional, familial, and social spheres. This complexity makes it difficult for her to perceive situations with complete rationality. To María, her child is not merely a separate being but an extension of herself—an inseparable part of her body and identity. At the same time, María strives to accept her newborn and adapt to this new reality. She is in a constant struggle with her curious, creative self, seeking to express her creativity while confronting the obstacle that is her own baby. This inner conflict creates a tension between the desire to nurture her child and the longing to pursue her artistic passions.

However, as we delve deep into this harrowing emotional journey, it becomes evident that she instinctively strives to protect her child in her own logical manner—a sentiment that may be difficult for her partner to understand from a rational, male perspective. For me the most unusual aspect of the film is its emphasis on the changing role of women in a modern, consumer-driven society. In the end, with the child being cared for by the father, María walks into a night bar illuminated by starry lights, dancing freely. This scene highlights her pervasive narcissism, a trait commonly observed in contemporary society.

This screening has an addition of the following short film:

CUARENTENA( Quarantine)

Dir. Celia de Molina / Cast. Natalia de Molina, Andrea Ros / Spain / 7 min / 2024 / Spanish with English subtitles / Dutch premiere

After 40 days, Marina finally sees the light. A coffee shop, a milkshake, a croissant and a lot of bad milk.