The stone raft – La balsa de piedra (2002)

Directed by: George Sluizer | 117 minutes | drama, fantasy | Actors: Federico Luppi, Icíar Bollaín, Gabino Diego, Ana Padrão, Diogo Infante, Antonia San Juan, Rebeca Tébar, Simon Chandler, Marques D’Arede, Manuel Galiana, Francisco Algora, Maria d’Aires

‘The Stone Raft’, an adaptation of the book by Nobel laureate José Saramago, is a beautiful magic-realistic film while you are watching it. Philosophical words are spoken, and themes such as finitude, love, companionship, but also ‘simply’ enjoying nature and the place where you are are prominent. All this takes place against the background of bizarre events, in which the emergence of a rift between France and Spain is central. It is a disaster film, in which the visualization and (possible) consequences of the disaster take place almost entirely in the viewer’s head. The whole movie is pregnant with anticipation of what’s to come. This ending can then become almost nothing but a disappointment, which is the case. Still, the journey here is more than worth it.

‘The Stone Raft’ is actually full of heavy, perhaps slightly pretentious themes, but has a pleasantly light-hearted tone for most of the film. This is especially well conveyed by the sympathetic actors. Especially Gabino Diego, as a modest teacher José, who is constantly followed by a huge flock of starlings, is an effective ‘everyman’ who looks at the world with a surprised look and who dares to dream. Not only that, he also dares to ‘be’ and enjoy the present, when the end seems to be approaching. In particular, when he meets the beautiful Joana (Ana Padrão), he is visibly enchanted and his life is given a new impulse.

The beautiful images of the Portuguese and Spanish landscapes make it easy and pleasant to travel with the motley crew of protagonists, whether they are all crammed into a Duck or at the back of a horse-drawn carriage, you are constantly curious about what is about to happen magically or impressively. Because wherever these people go, they always meet special people (or animals), who have special powers and are destined to meet each other.

Although the symbolism and ideas of the script – and the characters – are interesting enough, and the viewer continues to wonder how dramatic the impending doom will be – the unhinged Iberian Peninsula threatens to collide with the Azores – it is a shame that you not learn anything more about the characters themselves. People fall in love, short and big statements are made about what they mean to each other, but this often happens quickly and without explanation, so it is not always easy to empathize with them.

Yet it is amazing how Sluizer manages to convincingly tell such a grand and at the same time intimate story with so few ‘money shots’ and effects. Although Sluizer’s ‘The Stone Raft’ could have made more of an impression with its themes and characters, it now ends with a bit of an anticlimax, but in its current form it is still a beautiful adventure that excites and enchants.