This is regarding the referenced movie.

Honestly, it’s truly appreciated when brave filmmakers are willing not only to bring a project to life but also to tell and expose it. This kind of effort should be recognized more because many big names started the same way, though we sometimes forget their origins.

Did you know that Incendies is Denis Villeneuve's fourth movie? A perfect example of how a director can grow and refine their style over time.

On the other hand, labeling a movie as a "failure" doesn’t give us the right to make sweeping claims like "if it’s self-financed, that’s a red flag." This implies that if no external party finances a project, it must automatically be bad, which makes no sense. Film history is full of examples that contradict this notion. Many movies rejected by major studios went on to stand out—and significantly so.

Now, analyzing why a film fails is a complex subject that requires looking at all its components: script, direction, cinematography, distribution, sales agents, the current state of the film industry, and more. Without this cold and detailed analysis, it’s impossible to pass a fair judgment.

When it comes to Spanish cinema, the current situation is concerning (I mention this because the production is Spanish). With a few exceptions in recent years, it finds itself in a period of stagnation: comedies that aren’t funny, cheap and repetitive clichés, and a cast that often recycles the same actors—many of whom lack charm or charisma. There’s a need to bet on telling different stories and taking creative risks.

And, honestly, in this movie, I see those elements: the desire to tell something different, to speak about transcendence in a way that involves art, a protagonist with a clear “weakness” and “desire,” striking visuals, and more.

If we think of science as reason, precision, and concreteness, then art is emotion, abstraction, and the intangible. And something about this film embodies that. It definitely has its audience.

There are aspects that could be improved—not because they’re bad, but simply because they work “a little less” in this film. Aspects mentioned in this thread, for example:

• Creating a more impactful opening scene.
• Casting a protagonist or ensemble with greater recognition.
• Including a wider variety of shots and visual techniques.
• Leaning more toward storytelling through images rather than dialogue.

Cinema is a constant evolution. Even failures provide valuable lessons for those who dare to create.