Sweet Hours (1982)

Bearing the burden of a tumultuous past, playwright Juan (Inaki Aierra) finds himself trapped within the enigmatic labyrinth of his memories. Haunted by the specter of his father who disappeared and a young mother who tragically took her own life, he channels this torment into his latest work, Sweet Hours. The play serves as a poignant canvas onto which he paints the defining moments of his formative years. As he attentively observes the rehearsals, each scene unravels his own existential puzzle, blurring the lines between his reality and the enacted past. His quest for understanding leads him on a journey between the staged past and his personal history, gradually unearthing the deeply buried emotions that have shaped him. As Juan delves deeper, he uncovers the forgotten layers of his psyche, ultimately resolving his Oedipus Complex. Amidst this emotional turmoil, a beacon of love and hope emerges in the form of Berta (Assumpta Serna). A radiant young actress, Berta steps into the role of Juan's mother in the play, igniting a spark of affection that transcends the boundaries of the stage. As he grapples with his past, Juan finds himself slowly falling for Berta, adding a captivating layer of romance to his journey of self-discovery.

Sweet Hours is a drama movie featuring Assumpta Serna and directed by Carlos Saura.

Sweet Hours is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.