Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me: Romance and Quiet Desperation
With modern Mexico City as the backdrop, the film Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me (or, Todo el mundo tiene a alguien menos yo, in Spanish) by Raul Fuentes is a candid and revealing glimpse into the way romantic love sometimes does not unfold the way we want it to. The striking imagery compels us to examine the expressions of pain and ecstasy shot in black and white, strongly defining the caresses between the two main characters. Maria is young and full of spirit and passion. She sees life as something to devour and if there’s a party, she’s there. At age 18, she’s brave and willing to have new experiences, even if it means breaking out of her circle of friends.
Alejandra, however, seems to live in a state of constant dissatisfaction. She is not the most charming with her words and comes off as snobby, but that impression has everything to do with the void she carries in her heart and the immense insecurity it creates. I found her desperation so relatable because at some point, many of us have suffered the inability to reveal ourselves to the person we are dating. Maybe it is because that if we have been so long without love, we become skeptical of it and we fail to see the talents and charms of the other person. Those awful things about create a massive wall and we don’t see it until it’s too late.
Alejandra goes through the motions, but she struggles to make the final connection in order to fully appreciate what Maria has brought into her life. The way their relationship unravels will surely be familiar to anyone who has been through the wringer in matters of the heart.
This film was also the catalyst for massive change in someone’s life. Cony Martinez, Director of Programming for a film festival in southern California, faced opposition when she included the film to be shown alongside others at a Christian university. She believed in this film and many of its kind so much that she stated to her colleagues, “If you don’t accept the program, please accept my resignation.” Though she had to leave her position, it only opened up the opportunity to create broader public access for films such as this one to be viewed and enjoyed in more exciting venues.
The film is being screened by CinemaCulturasLGBT on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana, CA. I am very excited to attend and hope to meet any of you there. There is so much to be discussed about the broad spectrum of love. View the trailer here on YouTube.
Images via CinemaCulturasLGBT
