La Verbena

La Verbena (2024), Written and Directed by Rubén Sánches, is a 17-minute short Spanish drama that offers a glimpse into the lives of a friendship group. Set during a warm Barcelona summer, the group are preparing for a big night out when Marc, Alex’s long-lost friend from London, arrives unexpectedly. As the night goes on, revelations put strain on the friendship group, and Alex is left with a dilemma that puts him and his girlfriend’s family and future at stake. 

The story is told through the perspective of Mark, who is the emotional pull of the film- the heart. His distance from the rest of the group is quickly established with his late arrival, not anticipated by the others. Viewers can sense the increasing visceral discomfort of Mark, already estranged before other characters make judgmental comments about his sexuality. As well as this, he seems to be hiding a secret, as stories that have been relayed from Alex to Alex’s girlfriend regarding their close friendship in London seem not to align. 

There are strong signifying similarities to era-defining queer coming-of-age films, such as Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name. This is seen particularly in Mark’s characterisation, his yearning eyes and soft, gentle way of carrying himself reminiscent of Timothée Chalamet’s careful portrayal of Elio as a young queer man, lost in his desire. There are also echoes of Emma Seligman’s Shiva Baby through the film’s structure, narrative, and style. This is seen through the story, gradually revealing pieces of information about the characters which add to the rising tension, the theme of a concealed relationship, the viewer picks up on immediately whilst the remaining characters are oblivious, and the use of a single location to contain the narrative. 

Opening with a stylish long shot as the viewer is guided around the apartment, and further including long takes, the film has a lingering claustrophobic feel. Viewers experience the events of the evening in real time, and must relish in the awkwardness and emotional turmoils the evening entails. Beautifully ironically, the few moments where characters are able to speak freely and honestly take place in the more confined spaces of the apartment, cleverly adding to the sense that the characters are trapped within their situations and must face the inevitable consequences of honesty. 

Robin Reese’s performance of Mark is remarkably subtle; viewers feel immediately aligned with him and stay close to him throughout. The other cast members brilliantly commit to creating the setting’s irritating and stressful atmosphere that Mark must endure in order to speak to Alex and reveal what he needs to. The simplistic, enclosed setting is well stylised to enhance the realism of the story, the use of long takes grounding the viewer within the space. 

Overall, La Verbena is a well-acted and touching film. It deals with dark topics and includes important commentary on the way that social situations impact the way that people behave. The film ends quite harrowingly, leaving viewers wondering what Alex will do after being faced with a clear decision that could have a huge impact on his life.