Tolerance and the search for love star in ‘Salir del ropero’, by Ángeles Reiné

The 64^th edition of the Festival offers a preview of Reiné’s début feature film, which is screened in the festival thanks to the collaboration of RTVE, co-producer of the film

20/10/2019.- «I felt strongly compelled to talk about tolerance and respect, and, above all, to tell a story about those who are different». The result is Salir del ropero, a «comedy full of plot twists» that director Ángeles Reiné, who is originally from Cádiz, spent four years making. A preview of the film was shown at the Zorrilla Theater during the RTVE Gala of the 64^th Valladolid International Film Festival, Seminci, on Sunday, October 20.

This is Reiné’s first fiction feature film, which fulfils the director’s wish to speak also «of the search for happiness and love in all its forms, not only within a couple, but also among family and friends». The film has been featured in the Valladolid Film Festival thanks to RTVE, co-producer together with Yaiza Films and Take 2000. Its theatrical release will take place on December 13.

The film’s protagonists are Sofía and Celia (Verónica Forqué and Rosa María Sardá), two friends who lived a great love story when they were young, «but were persecuted by the Francoist dictatorship and couldn’t tell anyone how they felt», explained the director when she visited Valladolid to present the film. In their old age («or in their golden age, as I like to call it»,  said Reiné), «they are finally able to tell their story».

During a meeting with the media before the screening, Forqué, who returned to cinema with a leading role thanks to the role of Sofia, affirmed that the shooting was «full of happiness». She said that she got «very excited» when she first received the script, and praised «Reiné’s admirable tenacity and faith» in her story and in what she wanted to tell. «I think she is Attila: getting a film off the ground is at least a 50% more difficult when you are a woman, and she worked really hard to get the job done», she said. And then she addressed the director, saying: «Go get the next one done, Ángeles!».

Forqué also stressed that, although it may seem like her character and Sardá’s are the protagonists, «it is actually Eva’s», performed by Ingrid García-Jonsson, who thought making this film was «very important»: «It appeals to all audiences, but it pays special attention to the elderly, and films in which they can see themselves reflected are scarce». «”It seemed like a good way to call it a day after a very intense year work-wise», added the Spanish-Swedish actress.

Alex O’Dogherty described his character as «a rocker hipster from Cadiz» who becomes the link between the two women, whereas David Verdaguer, another protagonist, confessed he hadn’t seen the film until it premiered in Valladolid. «But I know that it is full of kindness, and that when I see it I will feel better than when I came in», he said. «It’s a film that shows us that love always wins in the end, and that’s what life is all about: loving and feeling loved», he concluded.