The film is based on the book Unearthing the Silence: Antoni Benaiges, the master who promises the sea by Francesc Escribano and it is a powerful indictment against unchecked power and conservative thinking. In 1935 Antoni began teaching in a small village in the province of Burgos. His unique (for the time) teaching techniques were not well received nor was his political stance, one that openly opposed Fascism.

Loved by all of his students yet loathed by their parents, he runs headlong into their conservative thinking and provincial ways. This is not helped in the least by the fact he is a declared atheist. The Village’s man of God almost immediately becomes his enemy and this creates a friction that powers a great deal of anger towards him. This story is dovetailed into a modern-day take on the discoveries of mass graves of victims of the fascist regimes.

Teachers tend to get short shrift in these modern times and their positive effect on the future of almost any society deserves more attention and admiration, not to mention better pay. On a personal level, there were a few teachers in my past who were incredibly inspirational and helped to inform and expand my worldview to my great benefit. Like all great art, this wonderful film brought back vivid memories of their positive effect on my life. The underlying tragedy of Antoni Benaiges’ story only increases the emotional impact.
Rob Hudson
www.palacefilms.com.au

Inspired by extraordinary true events, Patricia Font’s superb new film follows a charismatic teacher whose progressive outlook transforms the lives of a group of young students on the eve of the Spanish Civil War, but places him in the crossfire of local authorities.

1935. Idealistic Catalonian educator Antoni Benaiges (a stellar Enric Auquer, Too Many Chefs) is appointed as the new schoolmaster of a small, isolated village in the province of Burgos. With an innovative approach, he soon wins over his reluctant pupils, a group between the ages of six and twelve who are used to being instructed by the strict local priest. Inspiring his young charges to hope and to broaden their horizons, Antoni even promises to take them the ocean for the first time.

Meanwhile, 75 years later, Ariadna (Laia Costa, Lullaby, Victoria) is attempting to uncover what happened to her great grandfather – a man who disappeared during the war – leading her to discover the emotional story behind Antoni’s promise.

A major word of mouth hit at the Spanish box office in early 2024, Font’s film is an eloquent and deeply moving tale of the power of education and the importance of never letting the lessons of history be forgotten.
www.palacefilms.com.au