Rodrigo Sorogoyen and the art of blending short and feature films
The president of the jury at the Critics’ Week section of the Cannes film festival in 2024 is the Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen. At only 41 years old, he is already a renowned director who has gained recognition for his work in the film industry. His notable films include “Stockholm”, “The Candidate”, “Mother”, and “The Beasts”, as well as the Oscar nominated short film “Madre”. Sorogoyen has also written and executive produced the TV series “Antidisturbios”. His most recent feature film, “The Beasts”, has earned him multiple awards including nine Goya Awards in Spain and the best foreign film prize at France's Cesars awards.
But one of the most interesting works of his already long career which includes six feature films was the acclaimed 2017 live action short “Madre”, a film that truly has it all. This drama captivates audiences with its gripping narrative and intense emotional depth, centered around a mother's harrowing phone conversation with her young son, who is alone on a beach and unable to find his father. Through masterful storytelling and superb performances, Sorogoyen delves into themes of fear, desperation, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness in the face of danger. The film's success, evidenced by winning the Goya Award for Best Fictional Short Film and being nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 91st Academy Awards, paved the way for its expansion into a feature film just two years after its release.
MADRE - Directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Rodrigo Sorogoyen's film journey with "Madre" showcases a compelling evolution from a 2017 short film to a feature film titled "Mother" that actually complement each other. The original short film, "Madre" delves into a mother's anguish when her young son calls her from a beach, apparently abandoned by his father, setting a tense and emotional tone. Sorogoyen's directorial prowess shines in the short, immersing viewers in the mother's distress through stark framing and intense storytelling. The short film's success paved the way for Sorogoyen to expand it into a feature film, maintaining the core emotional depth while exploring new dimensions. Besides the recognition as an Oscar nominee, the short earned several prizes in film festivals around the globe.
The feature film "Mother", instead of simply adapting the plot to make it longer, it continues the story of the short film a decade later, focusing on Elena, the mother, still played by the same actress, the fabulous Marta Nieto. She now lives on the beach her son was last seen a decade ago. And it is her encounter with a young man, Jean, who bears a striking resemblance to her lost son, that might help her finally move on from this tragic past. Sorogoyen skillfully navigates the complex dynamics between Elena and Jean, blending elements of flirtation and maternal instincts without delving into a purely romantic relationship. The film unfolds with emotional intensity, capturing Elena's unresolved grief and the intricate bond that forms between her and Jean amidst a backdrop of family turmoil and past traumas.
The process of adapting "Madre" into "Mother" involved expanding the narrative, exploring new character dynamics, and delving deeper into the emotional complexities of the story. Sorogoyen's vision for the feature film allowed for a more profound exploration of the characters' relationships and the lingering effects of loss and trauma over time. Through meticulous storytelling and evocative cinematography, "Mother" emerges as a poignant and empathetic portrayal of a mother's enduring pain and the unexpected connections that arise in the face of tragedy. It shows how short and feature films can work together in order to tell captivating stories that also work individually. A truly inspiring masterclass on moviemaking.
