Name: Vidas pequeñas
Genre: Drama
Released: 2011-03-18
Duration: 1 h 55 min
Rating: 5.9
Cast: Asunción Balaguer, Maite Blasco, Txema Blasco

After the 2008 global recession, director Enrique Gabriel (remember 1992 Krapatchouck and 1008 Hitting Bottom), returns to examine the consequences of unemployment in a closely observed and quieter reflective mode which shows and does not tell. The film focuses on the insignificant lives, vidas pequeñas of the title, which do matter, as they attempt with different coping mechanism, whether denial, resignation, anger, delusion, despair, perseverance, pride, optimism, alcohol, memories, etc, to deal with their personal circumstances and survive in spite of their different backgrounds and events on which they have little control. The focus is on relationships as the characters are joined by Bárbara (Ana Fernández), who learns the value of caring and solidarity when she accepts Andres's invitation (Roberto Enriquez) to the caravan site on the outskirts of Madrid..

Spanish-language cinema across Spain and Latin America is united by its engagement with history, cultural identity, and social transformation. In Spain, films often balance artistic experimentation with popular genres while reflecting on memory, politics, and family. In Latin America, cinema has been deeply tied to questions of colonial legacy, resistance, and community resilience, ranging from intimate dramas to bold political allegories.

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The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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Closely observed relationships: how the 2008 financial crisis affects the personal lives of various individuals who develop different surviving strategies when thrown together in a caravan site on outskirts of Madrid.

Asunción Balaguer, Francisco Boira, Alicia Borrachero, Yohana Cobo, Roberto Enríquez, Ana Fernández, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba, Ángela Molina, and Pepo Oliva in Vidas pequeñas (2010)

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Francisco Boira and Laura Domínguez in Vidas pequeñas (2010)

Vidas pequeñas

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