Experiencing Interruptions?

THE BREATH OF CELIA

In the labyrinth of love a game of contradictions takes place: two women fight a duel with their feelings; one is reason and the other is the heart… but the labyrinth proliferates until it culminates in the ritual of disorderly blood and overexcited viscera..

  • MIguel Angel Barroso
    Director
  • MIguel Angel Barrroso
    Writer
  • Ursula Sobenes
    Producer
  • Ainhoa Azcona
    Key Cast
    "Ama"
  • Elle Ci
    Key Cast
    "Nely"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    EL ALIENTO DE CELIA
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, LGTB, Lesbian
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 8, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Spain
  • Country of Filming:
    Spain
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    iphone 7
  • Aspect Ratio:
    3:2
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • MEDff (Mediterranean Film Festival)

    Italy
    April 12, 2019
    Finalist
  • LIFT-OFF Global Network Sessions
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 7, 2019
    Official Selection
  • South Film and Arts Academy Festival
    Rancagua
    Chile
    CHILE PREMIERE
    BEST LGBT SHORT FILM/ HONORABLE MENTION: COSTUME DESIGN
  • First-Time Filmmaker Sessions
    London
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • INTERNATIONAL SHORTS
    Southbank-Vctoria (Melbourne)
    Australia
    Official Selection
  • FIVE CONTINENTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Puerto la Cruz , Anzoátegui
    Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
    Official Selection
  • CROWN WOOD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Kolkata
    India
    BEST LGBT FILM
  • DMOFF (Direct Monthly Online Film Festival)

    United States
    BEST SCREENWRITER; TOP 10 FILMS OF THE WEEK
  • 12 MONTHS FILM FESTIVAL
    Cluj-Napoca
    Romania
    May 13, 2019
    ROMANIA PREMIERE
    BEST ACTRESS
  • Nachtschatten BDSM/Fetish Film Festival
    Munich
    Germany
    June 21, 2019
    Germany Premiere
    Official Selection
  • APHRODITE FILM AWARDS
    New York
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • ESPACIO SEIS-FESTIVAL DE CULTURA
    Panama
    Panama
    June 1, 2019
    Panama Premiere
    Official Selection
  • LGBTQ SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
    Missoula
    United States
    June 11, 2019
    Official Selection
  • Diverso Cinema Festival Internacional De Cine LGBT
    BOGOTA
    Colombia
    June 26, 2019
    Colombia Premiere
    Official Selection
  • THINKING HAT FICTION CHALLENGE
    Ajitwal, Punjab
    India
    BEST LGBTQ SHORT
  • ALTERNATIVE FILM FESTIVAL
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    Semi-Finalist
  • Festival Internacional de Cine LGBT Diverso Cinema
    Bogota
    Colombia
    Official Selection
  • DRAMATIC SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
    Missoula
    United States
    Official Selection
  • CINEMA WORLD FEST AWARDS
    Los Angeles
    United States
    AWARD OF MERIT,EXPERIMENTAL SHORT
  • SECS FEST
    Seattle
    United States
    September 6, 2019
    Official Selection
  • SCANDINAVIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Helsinki
    Finland
    Official Selection
  • WORLD PREMIERE FILM AWARDS
    Los Angeles
    United States
    July 29, 2019
    BEST EROTIC DRAMA/BEST ROMANCE
  • INDO GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Mumbai (Bombay)
    India
    BEST ACTING AWARD
  • LAKE VIEW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Ludhiana
    India
    August 4, 2019
    Official Selection
  • UK MONTHLY FILM FEST

    United Kingdom
    July 1, 2019
    Official Selection
  • CAPITAL FILMMAKERS FESTIVAL MADRID
    MADRID
    Spain
    September 13, 2019
    Madrid Premiere
    BEST DIRECTOR
  • CEFALU FILM FESTIVAL
    Cefalu,Palermo
    Italy
    Official Selection
  • 5 film frenzy
    New York City
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • WHITE UNICORN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Kolkata
    India
    August 11, 2019
    Finalist
  • LULEA FILM FESTIVAL
    Lulea
    Sweden
    September 27, 2019
    Sweden Premiere
    Official Selection
  • CREATION FILM FESTIVAL
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 30, 2019
    BEST EROTIC SHORT
  • SHORT CINE FEST
    Chandighar-Punjab
    India
    BEST LGBT FILM
  • TOP INDIE FILM AWARDS
    Tokio
    Japan
    September 30, 2019
    Japan Premiere
    BEST ORIGINAL IDEA
  • CINE FERN

    September 30, 2019
    Official Selection
  • SOPÓ FILM FESTIVAL
    Sopó
    Colombia
    October 2, 2019
    Official Selection
  • MERLINKA FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL QUEER FILM
    Belgrado
    Serbia
    December 6, 2019
    Serbia Premiere
    Official Selection
  • THE NEXT LEVEL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Sidney
    Australia
    BEST SHORT ADULT
  • INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL PUNE
    Pune
    India
    December 15, 2019
    Official Selection
  • QUEENS UNDERGROUND FILM & MUSIC VIDEO FILM FESTIVAL
    New York
    United States
    October 17, 2019
    Official Selection
  • Sitges Film Festival - Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya
    Sitges
    Spain
    October 11, 2019
    PLANETA DE LOS BONOBOS
  • BLUE DANUBE FILM FESTIVAL
    Vienna
    Austria
    October 15, 2019
    CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
  • MADRID INTEGRA 7ARTE
    Madrid
    Spain
    Official Selection
  • CALCUTTA INTERNATIONAL CULT FILM FESTIVAL
    Calcutta
    India
    October 1, 2019
    BEST LGTB FILM
  • FESTIVAL DE CINE CON MEDIOS ALTERNATIVOS (FICMA)
    Ciudad de México
    Mexico
    November 27, 2019
    Mexican Premiere
    FINALIST
  • OMOVIES FILM FESTIVAL NAPOLI
    Napoles
    Italy
    December 9, 2019
    Italian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • AFRICAN SMARTPHONE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Lagos
    Nigeria
    December 6, 2019
    African Premiere
    Official Selection
  • MOODY CRAB FILM FEST
    Moga, Punjab
    India
    Official Selection
  • 18-55 CINE EN CORTO. FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINE INDEPENDIENTE
    San Luis Potosí
    Mexico
    November 30, 2019
    Official Selection
  • CULT CRITIC MOVIE AWARDS
    Kolkata
    India
    December 21, 2019
    BEST LGBT FILM
  • DIRECTORS CIRCLE FESTIVAL OF SHORTS
    Erie,Pensilvania
    United States
    December 7, 2019
    BEST GLBT
  • NEW DELHI FILM FESTIVAL
    Jaipur,Rajasthan
    India
    January 20, 2020
    CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
  • NEPAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Kathmandu, Central development
    Nepal
    December 17, 2019
    NEPAL PREMIERE
    Official Selection
  • AVALONIA FESTIVAL
    Florida
    United States
    EXCELLENCE IN ARTISTRY
  • 4 SEASONS FILM FESTIVAL-SUMMER
    Barcelona
    Argentina
    December 20, 2019
    BEST EROTIC DRAMA
  • ZERO DEGREE FILM CONTEST
    Mohali,Punjab
    India
    January 3, 2020
    Official Selection
  • INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL PUNE INDIA
    Pune
    India
    December 30, 2019
    Finalist/Best supporting Actress Nominationn
  • FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINE LESBIGAYTRANS
    Asuncion
    Paraguay
    July 16, 2019
    Paraguay Premiere
    Official Selection
  • DRUK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Punakha,Paro
    Bhutan
    December 14, 2019
    Bhutan Premiere
    BEST LGBT FILM
  • MERAKI FILM FESTIVAL
    Berlin
    Germany
    March 17, 2020
    Official Selection
  • VIP FEST-THE BEST OF 2019
    Barcelona
    Spain
    March 1, 2020
    BEST EROTIC
  • PRISMA INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
    Roma
    Italy
    Official Selection
  • INDEPENDENTS SHORTS AWARDS
    Los Angeles
    United States
    CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
  • LOVE FILM FESTIVAL
    Barcelona
    Spain
    February 15, 2020
    BEST CAST
  • EUROPA FILM FESTIVAL
    Barcelona
    Spain
    BEST ACTRESS
  • TAGORE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Bolpur
    India
    March 1, 2020
    CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD
  • MADRAS INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
    Chenai,Tamil Nadu
    India
    SEMI-FINALIST
  • VESUVIUS INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY FILM FEST
    Campania
    Italy
    Official Selection
  • PRAGUE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY FILM FESTIVAL
    Praga
    Czech Republic
    Official Selection
  • AAB INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Moga, Punjab
    India
    August 9, 2020
    BEST INTERNATIONAL LGBT FILM
  • THE BEST FILM FESTIVAL
    Barcelona
    Spain
    August 30, 2020
    BEST DRAMA
  • GREAT LAKES INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
    Erie, Pennsylvania
    United States
    Official Selection
  • GOLDEN DRAGON AWARDS(DRUK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL)
    Toewang Gewog
    Bhutan
    October 7, 2020
    BEST LGBT FILM
  • MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL CULT FILM FESTIVAL
    Mumbai (Bombay)
    India
    Official Selection
  • JEAN-LUC GODARD AWARDS CULT CRITIC MOVIE AWARDS
    Calcuta (Kolkata)
    India
    November 12, 2020
    AWARD WINNER BEST LGTB
  • PRIDE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
    Scarborough
    Australia
    March 7, 2021
    Australian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • STAR FILM FESTIVAL
    Barcelona
    Spain
    BEST FICTION LGBT
  • FILMS INFEST
    Mallorca
    Spain
    January 28, 2021
    Official Selection
  • DRAMATICA FILM FESTIVAL
    Barcelona
    Spain
    BEST EROTIC LGBT
  • GOLDEN JURY FILM FESTIVAL
    Bombay
    India
    December 14, 2020
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Jacob & Kolsky Artes y Producciones
    Country: Spain
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - MIguel Angel Barroso

He is dedicated to film criticism and is a film writer, poet and filmmaker. He has participated in the organization of several film festivals as Head of Programming.
He has published among other books: La bella Patricia (Narrativa) (2000); Pier Paolo Pasolini: the brutality of coherence (2000); Erotic Cinema in 100 Days (2001); Spanish Cinema in 100 Films (2002); Michelangelo Antonioni: Technically Dolce (2006), Marcello Mastroianni From A to Z (2007); The 100 Best Italian Movies in the History of Cinema (2008); The Hundred Best Movies of the 20th Century; The 100 Best French Movies in the History of Cinema (2009); The Hundred Best British Movies of the History of Cinema (2011); He has published several books of poetry among which stand out: Insensitive movements of chameleon; Poetry in heat; Poems of aggression; Three notebooks of love; I went to Hunt the devil.
HE HAS DIRECTED: INFARTO CON ROTURA DE CORAZÓN (2011); HISTORIAS DE LIMA (2012); EVALUNA (2013); PIERPAOLO (2016); MALA: APUNTES DE UNA CIUDAD (2017); THE BREATH OF CELIA (2019); URBAN (2019).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

MY MOVIE TRIES ABOUT THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN TWO WOMEN THAT KEEP A SPECIAL INTENSITY IN THEIR LOVING FEELINGS. THE FREEDOM OF YOUR LOVE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. MY MOVIE ALSO TRIES ABOUT THE NOSTALGIA OF THE FIRST LOVERS, ABOUT THE MEMORIES OF THE FIRST LOVING EXPERIENCES.

REVIEW of THE BREATH OF CELIA:

In love there will always be the struggle between what the heart wants and
what the mind will allow. Often our unbridled passions are met with resistance from insecurities within our brains. Miguel Ángel Barroso illustrates this beautifully with his new film, The Breath of Celia, where heart and mind are represented by two lovers exploring their passions for one another. Ama (Ainhoa Azcona), the more dominant and controlling of the two is driven by lust and desire for the more insecure and submissive Nely (Elle Ci), who spends much of the film blindfolded and on her knees. It is Ama who loosens the restraints and helps liberate the more shy Nely.
Barroso is a master at telling his story using all the elements of filmmaking. On the surface, not much happens in The Breath of Celia. Two women embrace and whisper sweet nothings to one another. Their story is told through voiceovers. It's all very poetic, very moody and sensual... a slow burn. It's Barroso's use of music, creative camera work and gorgeous lighting that sets the mood and atmosphere. This really is a beautiful looking film.
A lone cello, slow pans and deep contrast lighting with soft gentle colors all work to create Barroso's magic. He has the actors hold poses while the camera gently pushes in or establishes a beautiful reveal through sweeping camera movements. In today’s world of CGI and high adrenalin action movies, it's nice to see a director that has reached back to the golden era and rediscovered the art of filmmaking.
As the two lovers relive past encounters and relationships, one name in particular is mentioned, Celia. She is someone of significance to both women and apparently her breath was quite sweet and intoxicating. I believe Barroso relates the air we breathe and it's fragrance with our essence and the life within each of us. "Your breath has nothing to do with the clichés of breath... that they smell bad and all that. Your breath, Nely, tastes good. It tastes good in the air. I'd inhale it constantly. Your breath, Nely, is an adolescent smell..."
Barroso puts a lot of imagery to work in his story telling. In another section he refers to blood and viscera, "I've always like blood, because it boils. It boils. And it's hot. In poems there's always a lot of blood. It's pictorial blood that refers to hidden passions. O salacious moments. How much blood must we spill to love properly?" "We confused love with the experience of those feelings that surface when the viscera is overexcited." He relates passion and lust to very physical sensations, deep within our bodies, from boiling blood to the life-giving air that we breathe.
Those enticed by the concept of two beautiful and scantily clad lovers may be disappointed. This is a fairytale... a fantasy, but nothing pornographic in nature. There is a moment towards the end where Ama dominates Nely and things do appear to be taking a slight turn, but it never reaches anything close to an R rating.
My only concern with this film, as with all films dubbed or subtitled, is the language barrier. Translating dialogue may adequately convey the meaning, but it often loses its heart and soul in the process. I've sat in auditoriums, watching in confusion as the audience roars in laughter, and never got the joke. I don't think that will be the case here, but I do believe some of the subtleties and nuances may have lost their magic. Which is unfortunate as this is a work of passion that is beautifully done.
The Breath of Celia is deeply poetic and romantic. Its flowery use of language and slow pace may not be for everyone’s taste. Truly, this is an arthouse film to its core. I see it as a throwback to an age where less is more and more is left to the imagination. Truly a breath of fresh air... breath as sweet as Celia's!

Brian Lutes August 29, 2019
CREATION INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

REVIEW of The Breath of Celia:

I've been judging films for years and have written dozens of reviews. Just when I think I've got this down to a science, one comes along leaving me scratching my head.
Miguel Barroso is an award winning author and filmmaker who has written
and directed several projects, of which I've reviewed and awarded a few. He is a director I truly respect and someone I can learn from.
His new film, The Breath of Celia, left me truly grasping for words. Visually, it is beautiful, as are all Barroso projects. It’s a short film about two lovers musing on their affection for one another. The women, played by Ainhoa Azcona and Elle Ci are both quite beautiful. The camera work and lighting are spot on as are the voiceover dialogue and musical score. The production is technically quite solid. Miguel knows how to make a good looking film.
If I were to come up with a comparison, it would be to the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs from the Old Testament, where two lovers celebrate their affection for one another. It’s a poetic gushing of erotic encounters and sexual intimacy. The Breath of Celia is much the same.
The film opens with the two women facing each other in silence. There is a passionate kiss and a lone cello begins to set the mood (a perfect score for this film). A moment later they are separated. Ama sits in a chair reading a book of poetry; Nely, on her knees, is blindfolded.
The story is told through voiceover narration from both characters as they interact through kisses and embracing. The dialogue is quite poetic and reflective. The mood moves from moments of insecurity and apprehension to erotic delight. They reminisce and describe past loves, which is how we
discover the significance of the name Celia. She was a first love and someone whose breath was apparently quite intoxicating.
The concept works and the casting and production are spot on. The dialogue is, unfortunately, just too over the top for my taste. Without question, there is always going to be emotion and sensibility lost in translation. TheBreath of Celia is a Spanish language film and no matter how solid Joanne Maddocks’ interpretation is, it will never deliver with the same impact as in its original language.
Dialogue such as, "Your breath has nothing to do with the clichés of breath... that they smell bad and all that. Your breath, Nely, tastes good. It tastes good in the air. I'd inhale it constantly. Your breath, Nely, is an adolescent smell..." does not deliver with the impact Barroso intended. We are then told of a girl back in school with breath as intoxicating as Nely's and this girl’s name was Celia. I understand this to be a clever way of explaining the title and tying it all together, but I'm not so sure this will fly with English viewers. For many, it will come across as dated and overly saccharine. The flowery dialogue mixed with the occasional random posing of the actresses may not have the desired effect, I'm afraid.
Overall, I liked the film, because I like the way Barroso's mind works. I get what he was after and appreciate the effort. Finishing with the BDSM near the end seemed to complete the emotional journey the two lovers were experiencing. Is this my favorite Barroso film? No... but I'm still a fan.

Brian Lutes July 21, 2019
WOLRD PREMIERE FILM AWARDS