The Reconquest

Premiering to acclaim at the London Film Festival, this shining example of contemporary Spanish cinema from director Jonás Trueba (son of Oscar-winning director Fernando Trueba) is an uplifting and gentle romance in the spirit of Richard Linklater’s ‘Before’ trilogy.

Fifteen years after they were teenage sweethearts, Manuela (Itsaso Arana) and Olmo (Francesco Carril) reunite for the one evening that they promised one another so many years ago. Olmo is now a writer and translator and Manuela is an actress. Their reunion was prompted by a letter Manuela found upon her return home – a letter that Olmo had written to her when they were high school sweethearts, which shakes the foundations of everything they feel—or believe they feel – now that they’ve passed the thirty-year mark. Over the course of a wintery night-time odyssey through Madrid, they take in drinks, a concert and an impromptu swing dance gig as they enjoy each other’s company and reflect on the contents of the letter. Open and inviting, The Reconquest takes us on a journey through the streets of Madrid, as we’re swept away by this contemplation of the euphoria of first love, and the tough decisions that govern how we balance hope, dreams and desire.