Cinema Partenio | at 04pm
Directed by: Víctor Erice
Starring: Antonio López, María Moreno, Enrique Gran
Year: 1992
Country: Spain
Running Time: 133′
Produced by: María Moreno P.C.
Distributed by: Rosebud Films S.L.
Plot: Antonio López attempts to paint a quince tree that he planted some time ago in the garden of his home and studio during the ripening season of its fruit. Since the beginning of his career, the artist has produced several paintings and drawings depicting the tree in bloom and its fruits. He has depicted the tree and its fruits receiving the sun that ripens them in oil on many occasions. From his distinctive style, which is based on the accuracy of reality, the attempt to capture the light and sun of a model in continuous transformation and movement is extremely difficult. Antonio decides to take on the challenge of painting a quince tree laden with fruit. He does so in his usual manner. There is reasonable tension. He does not pursue the completion of the painting. He has no other desire than to spend a few weeks with the fragile and generous tree. The film recounts this experience and, at the same time, everything that gravitates over that house and garden: the passing of the days and the daily routine of people and things. It is a place and time – autumn 1990 – where Antonio works and the fruits of the tree reach their peak. As winter approaches, the ripe quinces falling from the branches bring the painter’s work to an end, initiating their decomposition on the ground. It is at this point that the painter tells us about a dream he had one night.