Gemma Blasco's debut film, La furia, hits theaters today, March 28, 2025, following a successful premiere at the South by Southwest festival. The film has already garnered significant acclaim, winning three awards at the Malaga Film Festival, including Best Actress for Ángela Cervantes, Best Supporting Actor for Àlex Monner, and Best Editing for Didac Palou and Tomás López. La furia explores the harrowing theme of sexual violence through the lens of its protagonist, a young actress named Álex, portrayed by Cervantes.
At the center of the narrative is Álex, who suffers a brutal sexual assault during a New Year's Eve party surrounded by friends. The trauma of this experience is compounded by the fact that she cannot identify her attacker, leading her into a year-long struggle with fear and shame. Throughout this period, she finds herself preparing for a role in a theatrical production of Medea, a character that serves as both a mirror and a means of catharsis for her own pain.
Blasco, who drew inspiration from her own experience of assault at the age of 18, has crafted a film that seeks to address the complexities of trauma and recovery. "I always tell this story, but I don't want it to become a headline. The film is born from a sexual assault I experienced when I was 18," Blasco explained. She noted that during her studies in film, she struggled to find narratives that resonated with her own experiences, often encountering stories that focused on overcoming trauma rather than depicting the raw emotional aftermath.
In La furia, Blasco takes an unconventional approach to depicting violence. Instead of showing the assault directly, she opts to black out the screen, allowing the audience to hear only the sounds of the attack. This decision serves to immerse viewers in the protagonist's darkness and trauma, challenging the sensationalism often found in depictions of sexual violence in cinema. The film's visceral nature is further emphasized through the inclusion of graphic imagery, such as the skinning of wild boars, which symbolizes the protagonist's internal struggle.
Ángela Cervantes delivers a powerful performance as Álex, navigating a range of intense emotional states. Her character's journey is marked by a deep sense of isolation and a desperate search for understanding and healing. Blasco, who has been friends with Cervantes since childhood, wrote the role specifically for her, believing that their shared history would allow for a more profound emotional connection. "If I didn't know it would work, I wouldn't have offered it to her. We have been discussing the script for years, and there is something in the characters that resembles us," Blasco remarked.
Alongside Cervantes, Àlex Monner plays Adrián, Álex's brother, who becomes obsessed with avenging her assault. This dynamic adds another layer to the narrative, exploring themes of familial loyalty and the often misguided desire for revenge. Monner's performance has also been recognized, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award at the Malaga Film Festival.
The film's exploration of trauma is set against a backdrop of artistic expression, with Álex's role in the theater serving as a crucial outlet for her pain. The choice to center the narrative around a character preparing to portray Medea—a figure known for her tragic and vengeful nature—highlights the film's thematic depth. Blasco believes that the physicality of theater allows for a unique exploration of the character's emotions, stating, "We wanted it to be a very physical film, directly relating to how the assault affects her body. The tragedy of Medea resonates with Álex's journey, as both characters grapple with their pain and seek to reclaim their narratives.
Critics have noted that while La furia is undeniably intense and visceral, it occasionally veers into excess, with some metaphors feeling heavy-handed. The film's focus on bodily imagery and the ritualistic aspects of hunting and skinning boars has sparked discussions about its narrative effectiveness. Nevertheless, many agree that Blasco's direction and Cervantes's performance elevate the film, making it a noteworthy entry in the growing body of work addressing sexual violence in contemporary cinema.
As part of a broader cultural shift following the Me Too movement, La furia joins a wave of new fiction tackling the complexities of sexual assault and its aftermath. Works like Michaela Cole's Podría destruirte and Cristina Araújo's novel Mira a esa chica reflect a growing willingness to confront these difficult subjects in art. Blasco's film, however, stands out for its unflinching portrayal of trauma and the nuanced exploration of its effects on relationships and self-identity.
In a recent interview, Blasco expressed her hope that La furia would resonate with audiences and encourage open conversations about sexual violence and its impact. "I wanted to provide a perspective that I felt was missing, one that acknowledges the darker aspects of trauma while still being respectful to the victims. This film is not just about the assault; it’s about the long journey of healing and understanding that follows," she explained.
As the film opens in theaters, Blasco and her team are eager to engage with audiences and discuss the important themes presented in La furia. A discussion featuring Blasco and Monner is scheduled for March 31 at the Palafox cinemas in Zaragoza, with a presentation event set for April 4 in Alcañiz. With its powerful performances and thought-provoking narrative, La furia aims to leave a lasting impact on viewers and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sexual violence in society.
