MovieChat Forums > En tu ausencia (2008) Discussion > modesty SOLVED

modesty SOLVED

posted 15 years ago by revcc
15 replies | jump to latest

Reading the posting regarding the masturbation scenes made me think, not only would that be hard for a kid to act, but how did Gonzalo feel about the naked scenes? Most kids would be way to shy! How did his mother feel about the scenes? Does anyone know if there are any interviews with Gonzalo that can be watched? Has he been on any talk shows? Iam very curious how he could do such acting (and a very good job as well)! The commentary said he was sensitive about being teased "growing tities" and the kissing scene, so how did he face the other scenes especially knowing everyone he knows and millions more would see him in these scenes?

[–] ynoel-2 15 years ago

Such scenes are not such a big deal in Spain (or in France, etc.).
Not much talent needed for the scenes mentioned. In fact we were about 6 in the room at the time, and there was a lot of joking, it took all of 10mins.
Only comment from the mother was 'locks the door to the showers for the last 3 years, and now this! Why you lot and not me?'. They of course had read script outline previously.
He had indeed a 'complexe' about his 'titties', and we almost died when Ana (Julia), knowing nothing of this, made that improvised passing comment. You can see the kid very quickly changing the subject.
Hard to do maybe, but one cannot see the film with a north American moral filter, other cultures have other levels of modesty or indeed pride. Indeed these values change very quickly from one era to another, yet we swear by ours. It has not been an issue that 'others may see him', especially now he is grown up.
No interviews were made of Gonzalo. The film was completely ignored in Spain, due to the total lack of independent film culture. The film has never been shown in Spain, anywhere.
'Millions would see him?' ..wow, if only it were true, it would make for a happy producer (and actors, as they have a stake in the film).

[–] revcc 15 years ago

Thank you very much for your reply! I guess I forgot about cultural differences in the way we see things! I still think this is one of the best films I have ever seen. It is so "real" that you felt like you witnessed this story in your life. For not having acted before, I think most of the cast were superb! It astonishes me that this isn't a big hit in Spain! I believe if more people here are made aware of this movie, it will be seen by millions. I just happened across it when shopping Amazon and thought I'd give it a try. Wow was I surprized to find it to be the best deal I ever made! I love foreign films, so I can get an idea of life around the world.
Now since he has made this movie, does Gonzalo plan on any more? I wish some one would interview him to hear in his own words his feelings, of such a well done job in acting! Does he know any English?
Again, thanks for responding! I feel honored to hear directly from you! One last question. The ending scene made me have questions. Did Pablo run away from home after that day? and if so, how did Paco find him? I still felt crushed at the end that Paco still focused on himself that he made the comment "you don't know what it's like to love some one..." and that causes Pablo to walk out on him again! Will Pablo ever have his hurt comforted?!

[–] ynoel-2 15 years ago

Thanks again, we rely on your comments, purchases, and support to be able to make these films!
There is an erroneous belief that all good films see the light of day, but it isnt the case. Politically a film can be kept silent, socially a film can be kept silent as well. This was almost the case: the film was not only not shown in Spain, but was outright rejected by other somewhat 'moral' countries such as England, where it's theme is deemed too socially incorrect.
If it hadn't been for a few courageous festival programmers (like in Vancouver) who rate quality over morality, the film would never have been shown anywhere.

As far as Gonzalo is concerned... he has gone through a nasty adolescent phase. Enough said.

About your question...: I had a man in the Seattle film festival ask me the same rhetorical question. He was so crushed at the end, he begged me to offer him consolation about how Pablo ended up. I couldn't!
We all go through these life changing moments, ones that never heal. We just learn to cope with them better as we get older. Pablo didnt run away from home. Where to? We understand his mother had died in the ten years after the 'shooting'. Paco only needed to go back to the village, or get info there.

A word 'from the inside' about that last awful word from Paco 'you dont know what it is...': I wrote that scene on the plane between London and Seville, and ...it just killed me to write it. I didnt see it as being 'forced', just the continuation of selfishness on the part of the adult. After a while a script, and its actors take a real life, and the ending simply crushed me as well...

Keep your energy for my next film..'Brecha' ...this one is even stronger, and is monumentally crushing, according to viewers, yet with something different at the end... :-)

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] ynoel-2 14 years ago

In the US?
Wow, ...I'm not sure there is a country I would not shoot in before the US.
I'd shoot in Saudi Arabia before the States.
Filmaking there, at least the sort of realistic film I like, is near impossible.
Their taliban-like judeo-christian morals would have police knocking at your door for daring to speak the truth about youngsters feelings, ideas, or growing up.
Also the legalities of shooting with youngsters is enough to make any director prefer working at McDonald's.
I can imagine trying to make my next film 'Vuelve' ('Come Back') there...
(Incestuous relationship between a dead mother and her son).
They'd have me interned!

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Chapaev36 14 years ago

Are you the director? I can't quite tell from the comments. Director or producer...

I would just like to say that I really liked the film. Just finished watching it this morning. Very beautiful and affecting.

Thank you so much and I hope that the film makes its way into a lot of homes. I am really enjoying reading the discussion here and I hope to see more comments from you.

- Jake from Canada.

[–] ynoel-2 14 years ago

HI there,

To answer your question: yes, and yes.

I don't comment, just answer doubts.

Glad you liked it. Hope fully my second film will reach you soon ('Brecha' 2009).
I'm working on my 4th film now.

best wishes

[–] chucklewisj 13 years ago

Don't be so hard on Americans, I'm American and I loved your film. I would say the majority of the people I know would like and appreciate this film. I think you know that Hollywood is motivated more by dollars than anything else. Foreign, independent, and art house films just don't make the kind of money Hollywood wants. It doesn't matter if they're about children falling in love and discovering their bodies or not. If your film made two hundred million dollars Hollywood would make a dozen of them in the next year, nude scene and all.
Keep up the good work.

[–] ynoel-2 13 years ago

Thanks, and I accept your comment.
But...
I WILL still be hard on the americans, because one can not be hard enough on a society with such oustadingly cruel and absurd morals as this one, that has all but sacrificed an entire generation to the service of a medieval style social hysteria. And ones they export all over the world!
Does it mean they are ALL like that? Or course not. But it is what they REPRESENT, and what they EXPORT that is the the important issue.
Part of the reason for making this film is in reaction to a grotesque morality that has changed peoples views the world over, and none of it for the better.
I am of course quite grateful of the support some in the States give my work, but then again, it is also usually in reaction to what is on offer there, not for what the americans represent.
You are right about what Hollywood would do if my films made money: what they don't know yet is that if they did do what you suggested above, they would indeed cash in on it big time (as did brokeback mountain). jut that no one has had the balls to do it yet. We indies can't, we don't have the promotion backing needed.

[–] buildersent 7 years ago

I WILL still be hard on the americans,

You do that you backwater 3rd world bumpkin.

If wanting illegals deported makes me a bigot - then wanting a rapist jailed makes you a sexist!

[–] haileybaron 9 years ago

(Incestuous relationship between a dead mother and her son)

Well, you're right we wouldn't feel good about you making a film about a boy who has sexual relations with a dead woman that happens to be his mother. Because you see in this country we have laws. One of them is incest - you can't have sex with your children.
The other is called necrophilia - you can't have sex with dead people
Maybe you consider your country to be more "liberated" but I happen to be proud to live in a country that considers these two things illegal and wrong. We have morals.
And also your post is very insulting to the USA which in many ways is the greatest country in the world.
Maybe we're not very tolerant of things like sex with dead people, mothers having sex with their sons, or showing 13 year old boys naked - I personally don't think any of them are NEEDED to make great films.

[–] haileybaron 13 years ago

The question is was Gonzalo a true "method actor" for this scene? :)
Method acting meaning when an actor is immersing themselves so much into their character that they are actually DOING something instead of acting it.
Simply said, was Gonzalo ACTUALLY masturbating? Well, at least touching himself??

You say it's not a big deal but a boy masturbating himself is a private thing in ANY culture. So how do you direct a scene like this? Do you say "ok now start masterbating" Or do you give specific instruction like to go faster or slower or this way or that?

Was he naked under the sheet?

Sorry for all the questions but these and sex scenes in films always fascinate me. I also always wonder if actors get erections in sex scenes. I know its fake but still, they're in bed with a maybe naked or almost naked woman. It could happen... lol
I wonder if Gonzalo was afraid this would happen? Afterall dont they say teen boys get erections all the time?! hehe (sorry can u tell im not a teen boy? Or even a MALE for that matter...)

Thanks for reading my post Mr Director.
You are very talented and made a great film. Visually it's breathtaking

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] JeffL1965 14 years ago

Shame that Gonzalo didn't give any interviews and that he and the film were totally ignored. It's a great little film. And I also would love to see a "Director's Cut" of it with Gonzalo's commentary or an interview.

It's a shame that the west has such a strange view of nudity, especially male nudity. With a few exceptions, it appears that no mainstream movie that does well isn't full of female nudity and/or lots of sex scenes. I guess had you made your film into a sex comedy or just had Julia flashing her breasts all the time, nobody would be complaining about the movie,and maybe it would've been more widely accepted. Strange, isn't it? Male nudity is a taboo in the US, and teen males even more so. Funnily enough, in comedies, teen males are expected to masturbate and be obsessed with sex, (American Pie series comes to mind), but in a drama, it's treated like leprosy. Again, I don't think any of the "controversial" scenes should be labeled such. They're essential to the story, and aren't at all erotic or offensive, imho. I mean, Pablo lives in a small village, has 1 friend, who happens to be a girl, although they don't have sexual thoughts about each other until now, he doesn't watch much tv or read, or play with toys, so I think that will all that free time he has alone, he's going to think about sex, and take care of business. ;) But in all seriousness, I don't see why it's such an issue. The lake seduction scene was handled quite well, imho. I could sense Pablo's nervousness and resolve. All in all, I think the nudity and sex was handled vey well and I salute you for making a great daring film, that breaks the mold of the usual Hollyweird film.