A new film from the acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch is set to put Spain – and spoken Spanish – in the spotlight! The picture, Limits of Control, shows various parts of Spain – from the bustling Madrid to the quiet Southern villages – and is a must for anyone who’s interested in learning Spanish!
Spain’s role in the movie industry is becoming increasingly significant, not just in the Iberian Peninsula but internationally too – all thanks to The Limits of Control.
The rich and varied scenery of Spain plays protagonist in the new mysterious film from Jim Jarmusch. A perfect background for what really is an intriguing story, spectators will visit Madrid, Seville and a selection of villages of Almeria, all whilst trying to guess the purpose behind the mission of the Lone Man (as he is identified in the credits).
And it’s a mission which isn’t easy to guess – the acclaimed director keeps us guessing throughout the feature, gradually elaborating on the same story over and over again.
The Lone Man sits in a café, ordering two espressos in separate cups. At each separate stage of the film he is joined by a different stranger – all vividly dynamic who leave a definite impression with the spectator: from Tilda Swinton’s stunning blonde to Gael García Bernal’s bearded Mexican character.
2 coffes and a lot of Mystery
Despite the vast difference between the people the Lone Man meets along his journey, the meetings have points in common: each character will ask him the same question, speaking in Spanish: “¿usted no habla español, verdad?” (“you don’t speak Spanish, right?”). This is a line which remains in the film’s soundtrack and is subtitled, rather than dubbed: a trick which gives the film the international feel it seemingly strives for.
Once sat with the Lone Man, the characters exchange more/less identical matchboxes – one of the several repetitions of the film which also include the afforementioned Spanish line, the site of guitars and nods to film.
As the plot goes developing, spectators will begin to get an idea of the important message behind the stunningly shot picture (a credit due to Christopher Boyle). The theme of how reality is conceived is dealt with – along with the idea of self-control (in one scene the Lone Man is presented with a beautiful nude lady but resists to sleep with her, saying he never would “whilst on a mission”).
It’s a beautifully shot story, with great levels of intrigue and a satisfying conclusion. The credit to Spain, for providing such an unbeatable background, is long due and is something we hope will put more focus on Spain in the movies.
