World-premiering in San Sebastián main competition, Javier Ruiz Caldera’s time-warping drama ‘5 More Minutes’ (‘5 Minutos Más’) suggests one way an on-the rocks relationship may come closer together again: by plunging them into the makings of a global apocalypse. Writer-star Berto Romero (“The Other Side”) and Belen Cuesta (“The Endless Trench”) play a couple who are trying to repair their frayed marriage, retreating to an idyllic vacation home in Spain’s exquisite Girona countryside. There they are handed the keys by Carlos, a property manager, played by the ever-popular Javier Cámara (“Talk to Her”) in a rare, less simpático role.
Not long after he hands over the keys, time jumps back five minutes. As time continues to jump back for them, again and again, they grow increasingly paranoid. Catalonia has always looked to France for inspiration.
This is a film which melds the great French and Catalan tradition of questioning the civilized manners of the bourgeoisie, rcast in a thouroughly modern genre blender, part excriciating comedy, part min-bending sci-fi, and part a shockingly violent thriller, driven by the logic of nightmares. A potential breakout, “5 More Minutes” is produced by Movistar Plus, El Terrat, part of The Mediapro Studio, and Ikiru Films. Filmax handles domestic distribution in Spain and internatonal sales.
Ruiz Caldera and Romero both spoke to Variety in the run-up to San Sebastian’s world premiere. What was it about this project that compelled you to take it on, particularly after your previous film? Ruiz Caldera: I always want my next film to differ from the previous one and present a new challenge.
Berto Romero’s script offered that, combining the genres I love most: fantasy, thriller and irresistible humor. I immediately wanted to make it. The choice of music framing the film is striking.
What informed the decision to open and close with Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams,” and what did you hope that musical motif would evoke? Ruiz Caldera: Finding the right song was difficult. We wanted something hypnotic and mysterious that signaled this wasn’t simply a comedy.
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