A Powerful Reflection on Cinema’s Capacity to Illuminate Life and Death
The 72nd San Sebastián Film Festival has once again proven cinema’s extraordinary power to touch the human soul, with a special focus on one of the most profound aspects of existence: death. Pilar Palomero’s film Los destellos (Glimmers), which earned the prestigious SIGNIS Jury Award, is a striking testament to the maturity and sensitivity required to handle such a delicate theme.
In Los destellos, Palomero explores a topic recurrent in this year’s Official Selection—terminal illness and the journey towards a dignified death. This thematic cohesion underscores a central truth: cinema, as an art form, cannot only entertain but also provoke introspection on life’s ultimate mysteries. The SIGNIS jury praised the film for its serene poetics and deep humanity, elevating Los destellos from a mere narrative into a contemplative experience.
This festival edition is deeply marked by a collective exploration of how to face the end of life, showing that films like Los destellos act as mirrors reflecting universal human concerns. The film offers a poignant reminder that life must also include death in its equation when seen in its entirety. Far from being a morbid meditation, Palomero’s work is about the triumph of affection, illustrating that true love and human connection transcend the physical faculties, offering redemption and fulfillment even as the body wanes.
The festival atmosphere, charged with films that delve into the human condition, highlights how essential it is for cinema to tackle the truths we often shy away from. The SIGNIS jury, led by Dr. Rubén de la Prida from Spain, recognized Los destellos as a film and an artistic experience that enriches both the viewer and the broader landscape of film art. This acknowledgment is not just for Palomero’s technical skill or storytelling prowess but for her courage in portraying death not as an end, but as a part of the continuous journey of life.
In a world where cinema frequently chases spectacle, Los destellos stands out for its quiet strength. It exemplifies how the art form can offer solace and provoke thought, prompting us to confront our mortality with dignity, grace, and an embrace of the affection that endures even when the body no longer can.
This year’s festival has elevated discussions about life, death, and everything in between, reaffirming cinema’s role as entertainment and a vital cultural force capable of guiding humanity through its most challenging passages.