Film Review: Regreso a Moira

Regreso a Moira which means Return to Moira is a beautifully artistic, clever, haunting tale of how shame and guilt effects us. This film is one out of a set of six films, Peliculas Para No Dormir (Films to Keep You Awake). Regreso a Moira takes place in the beautiful hills of an unspecific Latin village with archaic views about life and religion. The film shifts from present to past quite often giving the audience more and more information. The main character, Tomás, (Juan José Ballesta) finds himself infatuated with a beautiful older woman, Moira, (Natalia Millán) living just outside of the village. There are rumors circulating that she is the town strumpet; having men over at all hours of the night.  Tomás soon finds himself filled with jealousy and this drives him to an unforgivable act. Forty years later he returns (played by Jordi Dauder) to his village in search of peace and closure. He discovers that someone in the village has been awaiting his return!

The cast is phenomenal and it is a shame they are not even more well known. As a musician, I was enamored with the film score. It features a small string ensemble with a few cello solos. I wish they would sell just the score, I'd purchase that brilliant work! The DVD includes English subtitles and special behind the scenes clips too. More reviews on Peliculas Para No Dormir to come!
*Note: On the DVD, the English translated title is Spectre.