Family screening - short review - THE KIDS FROM THE PORT by Alberto Morais

Miguel, a teenager from the outskirts of a Spanish town, takes his friends Lola and Guillermo along with him on a trip to the cemetery, to attend the funeral of a friend of his grandfather who is kept under lock and key in the family home. The titular kids embark on a melancholic journey in a strange environment of neglectful adults where imminent danger lurks sinisterly around the corner. Morais’ film is soft spoken yet also a very effective portrait of the contemporary social and political situation in Spain. He uses a matter of fact style which does not aim to be metaphorical but rather representational, and adheres to a literal storytelling approach to explore the cultural context in a realistic manner. This makes The Kids from the Port very challenging but also ultimately rewarding. Furthermore, the humble performances by the young cast give the story a naturally melancholic background that makes the film all the more powerful.