EL HILO ROJO (THE RED THREAD)

(Language - Spanish)

I’m a great fan of foreign films, especially romantic ones. How else can we share and experience love, hate, joy, sorrow, peace, and war across time, across cultures, across traditions, across beliefs.

Plus some of the best actors and best acting can be found in foreign movies. Suffice it to say, some of the best romantic dramas and comedies are foreign films. So many ardent movie watchers aren’t necessarily keen on subtitles. I don’t mind them and tend to forget I’m reading subtitles as the film progresses. I have gone as far as even watching ones without subtitles. They’re easy enough to follow. Just put two and two together or follow the yellow brick road 😊

El Hilo Rojo is an Argentine film that was released in 2016. This passionate romantic drama, based partially on an original script written by Argentine author Erika Halvorsen, was screen written and directed by Italian Director Daniela Goggi.

El Hilo Rojo means The Red Thread in Spanish.

According to ancient Chinese mythology, soulmates or people destined to be together are connected by an invisible red thread. This signifies that they are fated to be lovers, no matter the period of time, situation, or location. With the colour red being symbolic for good fortune, this thread may stretch and even get tangled, but it is never ever broken.

A beautiful flight attendant, Abril (Eugenia Suarez) meets an attractive passenger, Manuel (Benjamin Vicuna) at the airport as they wait to board their flights to Madrid, Spain. The unspoken instant attraction from their brief encounter is so intense that it warms your heart. It turns out that she’s the attendant on the flight he’s on, and he eventually wanders to the galley (the plane’s kitchenette) where he strikes up a short conversation with her. At that point it is quite evident that they are drawn to each other and they do not hide it. The sexual tension between them is unmistakably strong. With the promise to meet up when the plane lands, he reluctantly goes back to his seat.

Like most movies, as in real life, things don’t always go according to plan. After the plane lands, due to some security issues at airport Immigration, Abril and Manuel are unable to meet up. Unfortunately, they hadn’t thought to exchange names or each other’s contact details prior, so things are unable to progress.

Seven years later, Manuel has a film producer wife and young daughter. Abril, on the other hand, is living with her actor partner and also has a young son. They both seem happy enough with their lives and family. That is, until fate engineers another meeting at a hotel in Cartagena, de Indias, Colombia . Manuel, on business and Abril, still working as a flight attendant. Amazingly, the allure was instantaneous, and it was doubtful that the spark they had felt for each other seven years ago was ever extinguished.

Beginning a sexually charged and passionate love affair seemed inevitable. Manuel was completely enthralled and fascinated with Abril, while she was totally addicted to him. Their obsession with each other was indescribable, which seemed to give credence to what an old lady at a market in Cartagena, de Indias observed and relayed to both of them as they spent time together. The aged woman had expressed that she could see that there was an invisible thread between them and that the connection was fated and strong.

Complications in their relationship were rife from the very beginning as they both have families who love them. To make matters worse, their lives are further connected because their respective partners work in the entertainment industry. While Abril struggles with what to do regarding her relationship with her partner and with Manuel, Manuel desperately longs for Abril and would do anything to keep her, despite not wanting to hurt his wife and daughter. Ultimately, they both need to decide. Either way, it wasn’t going to be simple or without heartache. Abril has to make a choice, and it might be easier if it aligns with Manuel’s.

Though this film is exploding with sex and passion, it is very romantic and actually thought provoking on the issue of relationships and what’s most important. It deals with a real life scenario and the emotional battles that come to play with regards to love, especially when other people’s lives and feelings are affected.

There was something emotionally churning about this film. The romance was heart-warming but the complications heart wrenching. You will be drawn to the passion and feelings both Abril and Manuel share whilst still appreciating their plight.

Manuel is a deeply sensitive and sensuous man. He possesses that romantic charm, that shy and sensual attraction romantic women want in a man. Benjamin Vicuna did a very good and convincing job.

Eugenia Suarez added her true beauty to the character of Abril. The depth of passion, feeling and anguish were openly communicated and worthy of applaud.

I enjoyed the soundtrack, which was a perfect complement to the film’s tone and mood. For all true romantics and lovers of passionate films, subtitles or not, this is one to watch. Rating? 9 out of 10.