Los Hernández begins with a tour of Carmen Ridruejo’s house. It’s a nice, large house with a beautiful view of the sea. As relaxing as the view is from her house, it’s a totally different scenario with another family in another part of the world.
This short film prominently features a sharp contrast between two families of different wealth. The simple transition between the two is almost heartbreaking, and the irony of their situations is quite something to behold. With breathtaking landscapes, policemen, and a mob of angry protesters, this film provides quite an experience of how it feels like to be with and without a home.
Notably also, Los Hernández find its significance in Spain’s recent housing crisis, and the many evictions that have happened since the property market crash in 2008.
As much as I enjoy looking into the houses of the rich and famous, I know how hard it can be to have no ready house or shelter to stay at. What about you? What do you think of the houses of the Ridruejo and the other family?
(Los Hernández is available with and without English subtitles on Vimeo and YouTube. Click here for a film about a Spanish citizen on election day. Click here for the story of a man trying to make do in 1960s Cuba. And click here for a feature-length documentary about the anti-eviction citizen’s movement in Spain.)
Los Hernández is also available on YouTube without subtitles.
The 3-minute version of this film may also be viewed on the James Notodo Filmfest website.
Directed by Josan Grau
