The Hidden Face

Movie Review: «The Hidden Face».

English Title: La Cara Oculta.
Production: Columbia / Spain, 2011.
Release Date: 16.09.2011 (Spain), 10.02.2012 (Italy).
Russian Distributor: Top Film Distribution (08.11.2012).
Official Website:
Genres: Criminal / Drama / Horror / Thriller.
Director: Andrés Baiz.
Starring: Martina García, Quim Gutiérrez, Clara Lago.
Age Rating: 16+.
Running Time: 92 minutes.

Spanish cinematographer Josep M. Civit during filming The Hidden Face separated the two sides: light and darkness, and that is reflected in the foreign title. Though light here does not mean good. The contrast of colors and frank sex scenes, where most had naked Martin Garcia in them, became the hallmarks of the new work by Andrés Baiz. Episodes were very harmoniously blended into all the surrounding events, although the American colleagues of Baiz would rarely use nudity so boldly as a narrative element.

Dialogues in this story are vital at times, but mostly primitive. All the heroes of the story are living through their feelings, especially not thinking about the future or excessive philosophy. Here with all the charted backgrounds, the maestro by Quim Gutiérrez turns out to be the most ambiguous character. He follows the plotless course, while staying zealously devoted to his one favorite profession. The script does not give him more complex traits or emotions. When the middly of the story comes he is barely significat not more than one German woman, who provoked some of the events with her knowledge.

Argentinian composer Federico Jusid recorded soundtracks for dozens of TV series and many Hispanic movies. This time for the album to The Hidden Face thriller he created some notably good orchestral pieces, with some of them being ready to replace any textual lines, looking simplified during dialogues. The tracks that could be heard here are written and performed in a professional manner, all while wedging in the plot development at the right moment, pumping power to the emotions, where they are needed the most.

GameScope Verdict

The Hidden Face film reached Russian with a considerable delay, yet still it looks as a very well tailored psychological thriller with a nearly theatrical atmosphere in the surroundings of a house with one big secret. Directed by Andres Baiz, all the story mainly develops the two main female characters, not being afraid of some explicit scenes, depicting the vulnerability of the heroines nicely presented by both Martina Garcia and Clara Lago.

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The Hidden Face Film Trailer
(Age Rating: 16+)

Movie Score by GameScope:

8.0 / 10