Tabula Rasa - Festival Review

The Latin term 'tabula rasa' loosely translates to 'clean slate'. If we were to denote a philosophical meaning to a clean slate, the expression can be interpreted as a fresh start, a means to leave something behind and start anew. Whilst somewhat of a hopeful statement, it can also be adapted as a curse - an identity erased, and a mind lost in its belonging. This haunting fate is precisely what Esteban Roel and Juanfer Andrés' new film, Tabula Rasa, chillingly captures. Prepared to be bewildered by this intense psychological feature that will take you to the edge of your seat and hooked, line and sinker to the drama. 

Tabula Rasa, set in a stunning mansion, sees Leo (Macarena Gómez) and her husband, Julio (Carlos Bardem), and their infant son, Izan. Izan seems to be a bubbly baby, adoring his father and his nanny, Luciana (Stephany Liriano), yet every time Leo tries to bond with him, Izan rejects her, persistently crying at her embrace. In concern, Julio organises a family get together, inviting Leo's sister, Claudia (Amaia Salamanca) and her new beau Héctor (Ramón Emilio Candelario), to their sprawling estate. However, events spiral out of control when Leo discovers that Izan is missing. 

This blisteringly intense thriller is evocative of a fracture to the psyche, where no one can be trusted, and mental security is sparse. For instance, after the alarm has been raised about Izan's concerning disappearance, Leo is immediately placed under threat, considering that she has a recurring psychiatric history. What happened to poor innocent Izan? Who can she trust? And can she even trust herself? This continual display of emotions runs array, and does not sizzle out for one moment, with the film becoming increasingly disturbing, powerful and climactic right up until the credits roll. 

As such, Tabula Rasa has this distinct air of captivating storytelling that is laced with a melodramatic edge, conjuring a feature that is rife with theatrical tales of deception at its finest. Ensuring that spoilers are kept at bay, Tabula Rasa brilliantly plays a risky game of smoke and mirrors that will leave you guessing the secrets behind this conundrum at every twist and turn. Nothing is by mistake, and everyone is a suspect. 

The various turbulent spins experienced throughout are narratively construed in a way that is bound to intrigue spectators; however, what is Tabula Rasa's most imperative feature above all is the absolutely outstanding performances. The character of Leo has considerable emotional depth, where her actions are bound up by a certain level of vulnerability and fragility, forming the assumption that her actions are easily mistaken for being treacherous, thus creating the perfect catalyst for the labyrinth-like story to ensue. Gómez tackles this intricate balance of unhinged, yet resilient personality with a natural flair that amplifies the foreboding and ominous layers of the film. In tandem with Gómez's unique approach are the performances by Bardem as Julio and Salamanca as Claudia, who both enrich the film with a sense of uncomfortably and urgency within its narrative, intensifying Tabula Rasa's incredibly haunting rendition of betrayal at its worst. 

The film understands its audience and its script, with Roel and Andrés being careful not to overplay the intricate, concise narrative that thrives with its quick-paced, impactful tone. Tabula Rasa has an addictive quality to it, where the viewer's eyes do not stray from the action for one second, thanks to the emotionally exaggerated storyline. 

Tabula Rasa is a polished thriller that thrives amongst tales of madness and deceit, inflicting the viewer with the same sense of turmoil that Leo undergoes throughout this frenzied, terrifying story of pure delirium. 

Experience the UK premiere of Tabula Rasa on Sunday, 28th September at 14:45 at this year's Dead Northern Film Festival. 

Buy your tickets to the outstanding festival below!