La casa de mi padre

Spain, The Basque Country or Pais Vasco , sometime in the 80s .We are in a democracy and the Transition has already passed, including an Amnesty Law but ETA continues to kill . The society is frightened by murders organized by the Basque extremists and the mobster extortion , while Policia, Guardia Civil and military suffer a risked situation , being really targeted and massacred . This increases the sorrow of victims, as they feel the criminals can persist in their terror strategy . After ten years abroad, former businessman Txomin Garay (Carmelo Gómez) returns to his homeland with his family. Meanwhile, the Aberzale party carries out political demonstrations and strikes , they're the political branch of the terrorist organization ETA that brutally killed about one thousand people and acting similarly to Sicilian Mafia . Txomin goes back to see his ill and stranged brother , but it is not entirely clear what happened in the past of the protagonists, what reasons led to the hatred between the brothers and the emigration of Txomin Garay. Especially his wife Blanca (Emma Suárez) awaits his return with mixed feelings. Fearing an assassination attempt, she asks her husband for bodyguard, but he strictly declines an escort. When Txomin's terminally ill brother, Koldo (Mikel Aramburu), asks him to keep an eye on his son Gaizka (Juan José Ballesta), the hatred between the brothers and the different ideological opinions are put aside and some unresolved issues remain. Txomin tries to get closer to his nephew through the Basque game Pelota. Initially to no avail, Gaizka also seems to slowly forget her hatred and anger at him. He also feels attracted to Txomin's daughter, Sara (Verónica Echegui). Txomin has love of his Basque Country , but it does not necessarily have to go hand in hand with patriotic feelings and the resulting violence. But then the journalist friend Germán (Álex Angulo) is assassinated with a shot to the head, which leads the Garai family to attempt to leave the country. You have to realize that obviously the old wounds haven't healed yet. But Txomin wants to wait another four days before leaving, because then Gaizka's most important ball game to date will take place.

The picture depicts a nice portrayal about Basque habits , the pelota game , the txocos, the town party and the violent environment with full political demonstrations and strikes. This is a deliberate drama dealing with thought-provoking subjects , social violence and excessive talking . The picture is acceptable , but also has conventional pitfalls and flaws . The film relies heavily on overtalking , a certain apology or defense of the terrorist cause and being spoiled by tiring dialogue. Both ideological directions (the Spanish and the Basque) leave room for the viewer to decide for himself which side he is close to. There have been very few movies in Spanish cinema dealing with the mafia-like terrorist band ETA, and no one was filmed dealing with the suffering of terrorism victims ever, none showing all the desolation that has changed the course of so many lives in Spain . The ordinary approach of the Spanish cinema is usually equating the victims with the executioners , with exception for : ¨Trece entre mil¨ (2005), being the best , a documentary movie are the interviews with relatives of thirteen victims of ETA , from the one thousand that ETA has killed and showing only the point of view of victims of terrorism . The main director representative of this pro-aberzale trend turns out to be Imanol Uribe , specially with ¨Muerte De Mikel¨ (1983) that belongs to Imanol Uribe's uneven trilogy dealing with problems in Basque Country , being formed by ¨El Proceso De Burgos¨ (1979) about a trial against Eta members by killing a cop , ¨Escape from Segovia¨ (1981) and finally , the successful ¨Dias Contados¨(1992) . Adding others as ¨Todos estamos invitados¨ (2008) by Manuel Gutierrez Aragón , El viaje de Arián (2000) by Eduard Bosch , Yoyes" by Helena Taberna, ¨A Ciegas¨ by Daniel Calpasoro , ¨La voz de su amo¨ by Martinez Lazaro, and ¨El Padre de Cain¨ by Salvador Calvo . The lack of interest in ETA and especially the making of films in favor of the victims and the need to stablish a resounding condemnation of this terrorist organization is explained by fear , as ETA has killed journalists and elected politicians as part of its mafia-like strategy of terror , as well as the strong presence of the Aberzale environment in the Basque Country . Although the responsible for the tragedies, in La casa de mi padre (2008) the terrorists don't appear ever, they are present in the atmosphere of fear in the population of that Spanish region with their supporters , the aberzales throughout the Basque Country. At every second, on the scene and above all in the dialogue, the Basque separatist organization ETA looms . ETA is never mentioned by name in "My Father's House". We are always talking only "of the others". The society is frightened by murders and mobster extortion. This increases the sorrow of victims, as they feel the criminals can persist in their terror strategy . Another difficulty that the victims continue suffering after the crimes were committed is expressed in the movie: the society and institutions have neglected to provide enough counseling and support to them because of a mixture of fear and lack of commitment against the Mafioso nationalists, that have an unspoken power in that society.

Stars Carmelo Gómez who gives an acceptable acting as a businessman returns his family home after eight years in exile avoiding the terrorism of the ETA. Being well accompanied by a nice cast , such as : Emma Súarez , Juan José Ballesta , Verónica Echegui , Mikel Aramburu and Alex Angulo that a short time later he died in a car accident. The film debut of San Sebastian director Gorka Merchán is developed in a slow narrative tone and equally a quiet camera work.