11/04/2019 - Fernando Bernués’ film adaptation of Bernardo Atxaga’s homonymous novel looks to recreate the nostalgia and the pain associated with the personal and political clashes of the original text

The Accordionist’s Son is one of the most famous and most personal novels written by the Basque author, Bernardo Atxaga, whose work Obabakoak was previously transposed to film by Montxo Armendariz, under the well-known 2005 title, Obaba, and featured Eduard Fernández, Pilar López de Ayala, Juan Diego Botto and Bárbara Lennie among its cast. Later, in 2011, we saw the release of Bi anai, directed by Imanol Rayo, and also inspired by one of Atxaga’s books. It is now the turn of Fernando Bernués to draw on the Basque writer’s literary repertoire. Born in San Sebastián in 1961, and boasting wide-ranging experience as a man of the theatre, a producer, a TV director and a scriptwriter, Bernués’ first solo foray into directing full-length films (having previously teamed up with Mireia Gabilondo in 2006 to helm Show Me The Way, Isabel and, three years later, Mugaldekoak) will see him transform the pages of The Accordionist’s Son into moving images.

Starring Aitor Beltrán, Iñaki Rikarte, Cristian Merchán, Bingen Elortza, Joseba Apaolaza, Mireia Gabilondo, Frida Palsson, Miren Arrieta, Laia Bernués and Eneko Sagardoy (who won the Goya award for Best New Actor in 2018 for his role in Giant [+see also:
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Despite the stirring musical score composed by Fernando Velázquez (A Monster Calls [+see also:
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Whatsmore, after the great, aesthetic beauty we see at the beginning of the film (which is set against the spectacular backdrop of Navarre and the Basque Country) and the introduction of characters who successfully fuel the sense of mystery and the notion of wounds left unhealed, the viewer is left disorientated by continual flashbacks and by a narrative which can, at times, feel rushed. Ultimately, this results in a confused plot and further confusion over individual roles. A more in-depth exploration of the dynamics at play between the characters and the reasons why they took the radical path of armed violence would have been required in order to help us better understand the causes of the conflicts – both personal and social – which are examined in this film.

The Accordionist’s Son is produced by Abra Prod. S.L. and Tentazioa S.A., with the support of the Basque Government, the ICAA (the Spanish Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts) and ETB. It will be distributed by Filmax and Barton Films and is set for release in Spanish cinemas on 12 April.

(Translated from Spanish)