SEX AND LUCIA Directed by: Julio Medem. Starring: Paz Vega, Tristan Ulloa, Najwa Nimri After decades in the wilderness, Spanish/Mexican cinema has, in recent years, exploded onto the world scene in a cascade of colour, life and imagination. The torch-bearers of this renaissance, Amenabar, Cuaron, Medem and Iniarritu, to name a few, are consistently producing material worthy of global attention. 'Sex and Lucia' is the fifth feature from multi-talented

writer/director Julio Medem, it is told retrospectively in deliberate contrast to his previous film, 'Lovers of the Artic Circle', and marks a continuation of his amiable story-telling and artistic direction. Medem is a highly original film-maker whose captivating visual flair and well-structured plot combine here to create a feast of sight and sound. Lucia (Vega) is working as a waitress in Madrid, her world is turned upside down when she hears of the death of her writer boyfriend Lorenzo (Ulloa). Running away to the seclusion of his favourite island, as written in his novels, we are taken back six years to recount the intense beginnings of their relationship, and through his writings, the encounters that led to his spiralling state of mind, including a one-night stand with a stranger (Nimri) on the island, the result of which was the birth of his estranged daughter Luna. The inward battle of Lorenzo between his dedication to Lucia and his desire to get to know his daughter lead to a bizarre series of events culminating in near mental breakdown and his eventual return to the island This is an affecting tale of commitment and loss, fantasy and tragedy, superbly written and beautifully realised. Medem's use of symbolism and his part-narrative approach sweep the story along, interchanging between dream-like fiction and harsh reality. The excessive sexual content will raise journalistic eyebrows, but sex sells, and who can blame Medem for trying to get his film noticed. The score compliments the cinematography beautifully and helps create the idyllic ambience of the island as well as enhance the tragic elements of the story. Despite being virtually inaccessible to many, Spanish language films are finally making it onto cinema screens in this country in greater numbers and providing a real alternative to the popcorn blockbuster. This film will not appeal to everyone, but, for lovers of arthouse cinema, this comes highly recommended. Sam Groombridge. samgroombridge@hotmail.com

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