All the Moons

All the Moons, a beautifully atmospheric supernatural drama released in 2020, is a gripping cinematic experience brought to life by director Igor Legarreta and actors including Elena Uriz, Miriam del Prado, and Justi Larrinaga. The composition is dressed in a strikingly ethereal and ominous façade of the nineteenth-century Basque country during the Spanish civil war.('Describing the plot without spoilers')

All the Moons plunges us into a story of an orphan girl flitting on the brink of life and death in a war hospital, after her town is devastated. The tale encapsulated in this ethereal film script allows us as viewers to examine fundamental questions about life, death, and what we, as humans, long for beyond physical existence.

Elena Uriz delivers a soul-fulfilling performance as the young girl brought back to life by a mysterious woman, played by Itziar Ituño, who reveals herself to be a “creature of the night,” or as legend has it, a vampire. Playing the unnamed young protagonist, Uriz evokes a profound sense of emotional depth. As she grapples with eternity and her confines in a changing world, the young actress’ capacity to twitch between childlike innocence and a wise, haunted soul is downright captivating.

Miriam del Prado and Justi Larrinaga too, contribute to the tapestry of All the Moons with their riveting performances. Each of these characters brings their own dimensions to the narrative, shaping and reshaping our perspectives as we delve deeper into the narrative.

Director Igor Legarreta weaves a masterful narrative. The gift of immortality given to a dying child in the midst of an uncaring and chaotic war is no ordinary tale of bloodlust and darkness that typical vampiric narratives present. He crafts a fresh perspective on the timeless legend of vampires, painting not a creature of fright, but a story of longing and solitude. The film presents the audience with a meditative introspection on the gift or curse of eternal life, blurring the lines between fragility and monstrous strength, humanity and otherworldliness.

But it's not just the soul-searching narrative and exceptional performances that define All The Moons – the film’s aesthetics deserve a standing ovation, too. The movie captures the persona of a 19th-century Europe caught in the throes of war, permeated by a mythic and dreamlike atmosphere. Gliding between the lush greenery of Basque landscapes and the dramatic ruins of war, the film’s cinematography by Ibai Elorza, is breathtaking. Cinematic frames are lit in a beautiful palette of low-light hues, punctuated by the glow of the moon (an important motif in the film), creating an almost tangible sense of ethereal beauty and poignancy.

The music by composer Pascal Gaigne also enhances the emotional gravitas of the movie. It doesn't just fill in the silences, but becomes a voice in itself, exploring the layers of complex emotions embodied by the characters and the narrative as a whole. The supernatural element of the film is not overstated; instead, it's seamlessly blended into the fabric of the narrative, making it seem almost ordinary and believable. Its exploration of not just life and death, but the spaces in between, makes it an uncommon film that leaves a lasting impression.

All the Moons is not a movie rushed by the ticking hands of time, instead, it floats, as if in an endless night, allowing the audience to breathe and experience the narrative's depth. It gives viewers the freedom to introspect, question, and ponder over their own beliefs about life, death, and beyond. It’s a film that combines the seemingly impossible elements of being a historical, supernatural, and existential drama all at once.

In the end, All the Moons rises as a rare breed of cinematic artistry, demonstrating how a well-orchestrated collaboration between the director, the cast, and the crew can breathe new life into age-old folklore. It exquisitely brings about a deep, emotional exploration of the human condition, centered around the vampiric legend. The movie, with its nuanced performances, compelling narrative, and hauntingly beautiful aesthetics, leaves behind an indelible mark on the viewer's mind, keeping them entranced long after the credits roll.