Dias de Vinilo, 2012.
Directed by Gabriel Nesci.
Starring Gastón Pauls, Fernán Mirás, Ignacio Toselli, Rafael Spregelburd, Inés Efron, Leonardo Sbaraglia.
SYNOPSIS:
Damian, Luciano, Facundo and Marcelo have been best buddies since childhood, when their shared love of vinyl records began, but as they enter their thirties new developments test their friendship.
This year’s ¡Viva! Spanish and Latin American Film Festival opened last night, with the UK premiere of Gabriel Nesci’s comedy, Dias de Vinilo (Days of Vinyl). Prior to the screening, the Argentine director took the stage to say a few words about his debut feature:
“This is not just any country for me, because all my heroes growing up were from here; musically and in terms of movies and television, all my heroes have been from England. So to show my movie here is very emotional for me… “
Nesci’s heartfelt words were immediately given validity as the film began: his love for English music leaping from the screen as Queen’s You’re My Best Friend blared throughout the movie’s opening moments. Right from the start, music plays an integral part of Dias de Vinilo both technically and narratively. For starters, Nesci has picked a stunning soundtrack of classic British songs: From Bowie to The Beatles, to Elton John, to the Smiths, Nesci’s fascination with our music is as evident as it is enjoyable.
Music is also deeply entwined within the characters themselves. Of the four central characters, one is a radio DJ, one is an amateur songwriter, one is in a Beatles tribute band (‘The Hitles’, often hilariously mistaken for ‘The Hitlers’), and one is’ famously tone-deaf’. Music makes up key parts of their personalities and is the underlying basis of the friendship, as well as being an ever-present conversational topic.
Finally, music acts as a thematic metaphor within the film’s plot. All the songs that are so beloved by the four protagonists are from the past, and that is just where the characters themselves wish to be. This metaphor reveals what is really the strongest theme of Dias de Vinilo: the negative effect of nostalgia. All four characters have their own inter-connecting sub-plots, all of which revolve around the inability to let go of the past and move on. Whether it is a fear of marriage, a stubbornness to let go of a teenage dream, or clinging on to the remnants of a failed relationship, it is through their friendship and love of music that the characters must learn to move on.
Dias de Vinilo is an impressively insightful debut from the director, filled with touching moments and plentiful laughs. The relatable story and recognisable soundtrack makes the culture difference all but invisible in this intensely enjoyable comedy about friendship, love and music.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Jackson Ball – follow me on Twitter.
Originally published March 9, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
