CIRCLE Showcase at Cannes Docs
2022

When expecting their second child Ema and Tomas decide to abandon modern city life and start a life deep in the countryside of Mallorca. At a distance from society's dogmas of career, wealth and success, they bring up their children in a simple and sustainable way, close to nature. One year into their dream, the pandemic hits, Tomas loses his job, and the family is forced to reevaluate their life. Becoming Ema explores what 'the good life' is - for us and for our children - but also challenges the consequences of the family's radical choices.

LIGHTS FALL VERTICAL

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Directed by: Efthymia Zymvragaki
Produced by: Angelo Orlando, Patricia Sánchez Mora, Anna Bofarull, Valentin Thurn

Developed through: CIRCLE 2020

“Lights fall vertical” explores what happens when an abusive man speaks out, positioning himself as a critic of violence. Without excusing his acts, the film creates a space in which the abuser has a voice, bringing a new perspective on violence and abuse with a focus on the breaking of violent cycles and the urgent need for a healing process in society. As a child Ernesto experienced his father’s violent attacks against his mother. Once an adult it turned out that he had inherited the patterns of violence. He ended up in a psychiatric hospital after trying to kill his wife and son. It took decades of abusive behavior with different relationships until he recognized he had an issue. He then described his inner conflict in an autobiographical novel. Now it is time to turn it into a movie.