The Goyas, Spain’s version of the Oscars, were awarded last Sunday in Madrid, and although there seemed to be no real favourites going in to the ceremony, David Trueba’s ‘Vivir es Facil con los Ojos Cerrados’ (Living is Easy with Eyes Closed) picked up six awards and was the unquestionable winner of The Goyas 2014.
The film, set in Cartagena in 1966, tells the true story of Juan Carrion, an eccentric English and Latin teacher who employed the unconventional method of using Beatles’ songs to teach the English language and encourage his pupils to translate and understand the lyrics.
When Juan learns that his idol, John Lennon, is in Almeria filming Richard Lester’s ‘How I won the War’, he sets off on a road trip to meet him. The film follows this quest, where he is joined by 20 year-old Belen and 16 year old Juanjo – both running away from their problems and their home lives. Along the way we witness the touching and often humorous unfolding of the relationship between the three characters as we travel through the Spanish countryside. The cinematography is wonderful, as we’re transported along on their journey via stunning landscape shots. Our protagonist, Juan, does finally get to meet Lennon and is granted his much-anticipated interview. It would be after this half-hour exchange that ‘Sergeant Pepper’ was brought out; the first album to have its lyrics printed inside the cover.
Juan Arrion, now 89 years old, half blind and hard of hearing is thrilled that his oddball mission, interview and heart warming story have been recounted and portrayed so engagingly and to such acclaim.
This delightful film is both a coming of age and also a journey of discovery, beautifully filmed and acted by a talented cast. The role of Juan is played by the fabulous Javier Camara, who unsurprisingly won the Goya for Best Actor with his portrayal of this big-hearted, enigmatic and enthusiastic character. Natalie de Molina, meanwhile, received the Goya for Best New Actress for her sensational debut performance.
The movie also picked up Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Music, for its moving and emotive soundtrack – although, considering the subject of the film, we are not given any Beatles’ music until the very end. Strawberry Fields Forever plays the movie out, a most fitting finale as it was the song composed by Lennon whilst he was in Almeria and its lyrics lend the film its title.
“Living is Easy with eyes closed”
Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It’s getting hard to be someone
But it all works out
It doesn’t matter much to me
Let me take you down
Cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever
A beautiful film for lovers of The Beatles, lovers of Spain, lovers of landscape, music and lovers of a good story… In fact, ‘Living is Easy with Eyes Closed’ is a charming and engaging movie for anyone who loves movies.