David Trueba on “Always Winter”: Love, Loss & Adaptation

David Trueba, a renowned Spanish filmmaker and author, delves into the intricate tapestry of human experience with his film “Always Winter,” an adaptation of his acclaimed 2015 novella, “Blitz.” The film explores profound themes surrounding life after a great love breakup, the subtle process of adult coming of age, and the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when adapting one’s own literary work for the cinematic screen. Through the journey of its protagonist, Miguel Mena, Trueba offers a nuanced perspective on resilience, self-discovery, and the relentless flow of time.

Adapting “Blitz”: From Page to Screen

For the first time in his thirty-year career, David Trueba undertook the task of adapting one of his own novels, transforming “Blitz” into the film “Always Winter.” This transition from the written word to the visual medium presented a distinct set of artistic decisions. Trueba recognized that certain aspects of the novel, particularly those related to the passage of time and emotional states, could be conveyed with enhanced impact through cinema. While a book allows for internal narration and detailed descriptions, film inherently brings a visual and temporal immediacy that can deepen a viewer’s connection to the characters’ inner worlds.

The adaptation allowed Trueba to explore how the “power of cinema” could elevate the narrative. For instance, the film employs a striking temporal structure, dedicating a significant portion of its runtime to the “January” chapter, which chronicles Miguel’s painful breakup and his initial encounter with Olga. In contrast, subsequent months often unfold in swift, minute-long segments, powerfully conveying the emotional density of the initial rupture versus the faster, almost blurred passage of time thereafter.

The Emotional Landscape of a Great Love Breakup

At the heart of “Always Winter” is Miguel Mena, a 40-year-old landscape architect grappling with unemployment and, more significantly, the abrupt departure of his long-term girlfriend, Marta. The film opens with Miguel at a conference in Brussels, where he attempts to present his “Gardens of Life” project—a concept centered on contemplating the visual representation of time through hourglasses. Ironically, it is at this very moment that his own perception of time and stability is shattered by Marta’s revelation that she is leaving him.

The film’s title, “Always Winter,” serves as a metaphor for Miguel’s spiritual and emotional state following the breakup. Trueba describes this as a period of “emotional blocking,” a freezing state where an individual becomes unable to fully give or receive. This post-rupture experience is portrayed not as an obvious breakdown, but as a subtle, internal struggle, a hidden malaise that affects a person who might outwardly appear normal. The film suggests that after such a profound loss, life becomes a matter of surviving an absence, of learning to integrate new, painful “information” into one’s existence.

A Different Kind of Coming of Age

“Always Winter” also functions as an unconventional coming-of-age story for its adult protagonist. Miguel’s journey of rebuilding begins when he encounters Olga, an older woman volunteering at the architecture congress. This unexpected connection challenges Miguel’s preconceived notions and judgments, including societal taboos surrounding relationships with significant age differences.

Through his interactions and experiences, Miguel learns to question his hasty opinions about others, realizing that people are often more complex than they initially appear. This process of re-evaluation and open-mindedness allows him to “feel a bit better about the world.” Trueba highlights that this adult coming of age involves understanding that one cannot remain anchored in the past, no matter how cherished or painful. The film conveys the crucial lesson that “after something, there’s something else,” pushing Miguel towards accepting change and finding a new direction in his life, even amidst enduring absence.

Cinematic Craft and Thematic Depth

Trueba’s direction in “Always Winter” is marked by a keen focus on cinematic expressiveness. He utilizes specific visual techniques to amplify emotional impact. For instance, a single, lingering shot captures the profound strangeness of rupture when Marta bids farewell to Miguel in their Brussels hotel room. The camera stays on Miguel, emphasizing his immediate shift into a new emotional state, one forever marked by her absence.

The film also powerfully captures the “ravages and awe of time” not only through the narrative structure but also through its depiction of actors’ faces and bodies, and the fleeting beauty of the natural world, such as a sunrise over the Mediterranean. These elements underscore the film’s core exploration of how life transforms and continues, accumulating experiences that reshape an individual. Trueba cites influences from filmmakers like Éric Rohmer, particularly his focus on intimacy within contained spaces, and authors like Julian Barnes, who explore themes of time, absence, and complex human relationships.

Conclusion

David Trueba’s “Always Winter” stands as a poignant exploration of universal human experiences: the aftermath of a significant breakup, the subtle yet profound process of adult self-discovery, and the artistic journey of adaptation. By translating the emotional depth of his novel “Blitz” into a visually rich cinematic narrative, Trueba offers audiences a reflective and emotionally resonant story. The film subtly illustrates how individuals navigate loss, shed old prejudices, and ultimately, find renewed purpose and understanding in a life irrevocably altered by time and experience.