Dark Blue Almost Black

Gentle sexual shenanigans from Spain in this finely plotted and affectionately played relationship comedy which marks former TV-writer turned director Daniel Sánchez Arévalo as a welcome presence in the New Spanish Cinema. As Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) toils desperately for a job that’ll put his business degree to good use, he slowly becomes attracted to his brother’s girlfriend, broody prison inmate Paula (Marta Eturna). A duel narrative which also involves the sexuality of Jorge’s best friend Israel further probes ideas of illicit sex and the consequences of forbidden love in this engaging and often very funny film (watch out for Antonio de la Torre’s parole hearing) which delivers the slightly sanguine, but ultimately winning affirmation that in work, relationships and family life, experience is the key.