Palm Trees in the Snow

Palm Trees in the Snow
Poster
Palmeras en la nieve
Directed by	Fernando González Molina
Written by	Sergio G. Sánchez
Based on	Palmeras en la nieve by Luz Gabás
Starring	Mario Casas Adriana Ugarte Macarena García Celso Bugallo Laia Costa Emilio Gutiérrez Caba Berta Vázquez
Music by	Lucas Vidal
Cinematography	Xavi Giménez
Edited by	Irene Blecua Verónica Callón
Production companies	Nostromo Pictures Dynamo Producciones Atresmedia Cine Warner Bros.
Release date	25 December 2015 (2015-12-25) (Spain)
Running time	163 minutes
Country	Spain Colombia
Language	Spanish Bube Pichinglis Benasquese (Patués)
Budget	€10 million

Palm Trees in the Snow (Spanish: Palmeras en la nieve) is a 2015 Spanish romantic drama film directed by Fernando González Molina. The screenplay is based on the novel of the same name, Palmeras en la nieve, by Luz Gabás.^[1][2]

Plot

Kilian is a young man from the mountains of Huesca who, in 1954, returns to the island of Fernando Pó (present Bioko), where he was born. He joins his father Antón and his brother Jacobo. As a family they are some of the Spanish colonialists who raise cocoa.

The movie opens in 1968 with Killian and Bisila having sex. Shortly after Killian departs leaving a half torn picture and his hat as a memento for Bisila. Flash forward to 2003 Pasolobino, Spain Clarence is attending the funeral of her estranged father Jacobo. After the funeral Clarence and her cousin Daniela discuss the possibility of selling the family land. They also discuss Daniela's father, Killian, declining health. Killian is suffering from dementia. While in Killian's office Clarence finds a journal, a half torn picture and a torn note stating that money has been sent to an unidentified woman. Clarence ask Julia, an old family friend, if she knows anything about the note. Julia admits that her deceased husband Manuel wrote the note but reluctantly says she doesn't know who the woman is. Clarence tells Juila that she will travel to Bioko in Sampaka, Guinea as she wants to know more about her father's life. Clarence also deduced that if there are relatives in Bioko she will bring them back to Spain, as they are family. Juila tells Clarence to look for a man name Simon, who was a friend of Killian

Flashing back to 1954 a young Killian and young Jacobo are saying goodbye to their mother and sister Catalina as they depart for Guinea. Catalina gives Killian a journal and encourages him to write in it. While on the ship to Bioko Killian and Jacobo meet Manuel, who is to be the new resident doctor of the cocoa plantation estate. Once on land they are greeted by Anton, Killian and Jacobo's father, and his best friend Ose. Early next morning Simon, an estate house boy, wakes Killian informing him that he is running late and that he must meet everyone outside. Killian meets up with the day laborers and other overseers as they depart for the cocoa fields. Killian has an unpleasant introduction to Gregorio, an abusive overseer. While in the cocoa fields Killian wonders off into the nearby forest where he hears singing. He follows the singing to a waterfall were he sees a woman crying. Killian attempts to introduce himself but is distracted by a sound and looks away. When he looks back the woman is gone. Later on a young Julia invites Killian, Jacobo and Anton to a dinner party at her parents estate. During the dinner party Nelson, an estate worker, arrives with news of needing Jacobo's help with a medical emergency. Jacobo takes Killian with him. Once in the car Jacobo reveals that it was a ruse to leave the dinner party early so that they can go to a night club called Santa Isabel. Once at the club Jacobo encourages Killian to drink and sleep with prostitutes. Months later Anton, annoyed with Killian's activities, takes him to visit Ose's village and introduces him to the Bubi people. Anton encourages Killian to explore the land and get to know the locals. Sometime later Ose invites Anton and Killian to his daughter's, Bisila, wedding in the village. When giving congratulations to the bride Killian is surprised to see that she is the same woman from the waterfall. He immediately becomes attracted to her. During a lavish estate party Julia confronts Jacobo about his ruse at the dinner party. Julia scolds Jacobo for his activities at Santa Isabel. Jacobo rebuffs Julia by saying that they are not a couple and that he can do whatever he wants. Hurt Julia dances with Killian. Killian then introduces Manuel to Julia. They immediately become attracted to each other. Soon after Anton's health takes a turn for the worst and he dies. At Anton's funeral Jacobo runs off into the forest, Julia runs after him and attempts to console him. Jacobo kisses Julia but Julia pushes him away stating that she is engaged to be married to Manuel and that she is no longer in love with him. Jacobo tearfully tells her that she will not be happy with Manuel. Julia disagrees and walks off. Frustrated, Jacobo runs into the forest screaming. Filled with grief of his father's death Killian leaves Bioko and returns to Pasolobino for 3 years.

In present 2003 Clarence has arrived in Bioko, locates Anton's grave and is introduced Iniko, a document office employee. while driving Clarence back to her hotel Iniko detours to pick up his younger brother, Laha, who has returned home from college. Iniko and Laha show Clarence around town. Iniko reluctantly helps Clarence find out more about the coco plantation estate. They find the estate and after being met with hostility from the workers they are introduced to an elderly Simon. Simon tells Clarence that Iniko's grandfather, Ose, was friends with her grandfather, Anton. After leaving the estate confused Iniko demands to know what Clarence is really searching for. Clarence tells Iniko about her uncle Killian and her father Jacobo, then shows Iniko the half torn picture. Shocked Iniko tells Clarence that the woman in the picture is his mother Bisila. Iniko takes Clarence to the elderly Bisila's home. Bisila with Iniko and Laha present tells Clarence her connection with Killian.

Flashing back to 1957 Killian returns to Bioko. Killian visits Ose and the Bubi people at the village. Ose reintroduces Bisila, her husband Mosi and their son Iniko to Killian. Killian then visits Santa Isabel looking for Jacobo. While there Gregorio takes a prostitute at gun point after arguing over her with another man. Killian talks Gregorio down and then takes Jacobo, Dick and Pao back to the estate. The next day Killian sends Jacobo on a plane back to Spain. Killian visits Julia at her parents store and they discuss the hostile changes of the political climate. While there Bisila arrives to tell Julia that her friend Gustavo, a local politician, has been attacked. Julia ask Killian to assist her and Bisila with rescuing Gustavo. They hide Gustavo in the truck of Julia's car while crossing border lines. At the estate Bisila, who is a nurse attends to Gustavo's wounds. After putting Gustavo in bed Killian and Bisila share a kiss while thanking each other for helping. Afterwards Killian and Bisila meet in a shed to make love and decides to keep their affair a secret. Though they try to be inconspicuous everyone on the estate knows about the affair. In 1964 Killian's mother sends him a letter requesting he return to Spain due to his sister's, Catalina, declining health. Killian stays in Spain for several months after Catalina dies. Jacobo returns to Bioko and visits Julia. Jacobo tells Julia that he has met a woman in Spain. Julia encourages Jacobo to treat her well and tells him she is happy with her life. Jacobo kisses Julia and tells her that he knows she is still in love with him. Julia tells him to leave. That evening at the estate Bisila is leaving work and sees a car following her. The men in the car are revealed to be Jacobo, Dick and Pao. They proceed to beat and rape Bisila. Simon finds her and tends to her injuries. The next day Killian returns. Ose and Simon informs Killian of Bisila's rape. Dick and Pao's bodies are found hanging from a tree. It is implied that Mosi, Bisila's husband is taking revenge for the rape. Killian tells Jacobo of Dick and Pao's deaths and then confronts him about Bisila's rape. Jacobo denies the rape and insults Bisila's character. Kilian beats Jacobo and warns him of Mosi's revenge. Later on Mosi attempts to kill Jacobo but Killian arrives in the middle of it giving Jacobo time to shoot Mosi dead. Killian kicks Jacobo out the estate and sends him back to Spain. Bisila tells Killian that she must mourn Mosi's death for a year, after which she will be free to be with him. Killian tells Bisila that he will wait for her. In 1968 a new President is elected for the Republic Equatorial of Guinea and the Spanish Colonies are being forced to leave. Julia's parents lose their business and begin to make plans to return to Spain. Back at the estate various overseers such as Gregorio have gone missing. While walking through the cocoa fields Killian is approached by Militar with two other day labor workers. They force Killian into the truck and take him deep into the forest. Killian is forced to dig his own grave. Militar tells Killian that he originally wanted to kill Jacobo for killing Mosi but Jacobo escaped and now Killian is taking his place. Simon arrives to stop and convince Militar not to kill Killian. Julia and Manuel are preparing to leave for Spain. Julia begs Killian to leave with them and suggest that Killian bring Bisila along. Julia brings Bisila to her home, marking the end of Bisila's year long mourning. Bisila arrives with Iniko and her second son Laha. Bisila tells Killian that he is Laha's father. The next day Julia, Manuel, Killian, Bisila and Nelson along with his wife attempt to leave Bioko by boarding a ship to Spain, as were other Spanish colonist and some locals. Julia and Manuel pass through the gate successfully, however Killian and Bisila do not. The guard prevents Bisila and her children from passing because she does not have the proper paper work. The guard pushes Killian and Bisila back into the crowd. The crowd becomes agitated and push the gate down. The guards begin shooting at the crowd. Julia and Manuel escape on to a motor boat were Julia's parents are waiting. Nelson is shot dead. Killilan and Bisila return to the estate. They attempt to live as a family but Killian is eventually force to leave without Bisila.

In present 2003 Clarence returns to Pasolobino were she visits the elderly Killian. Clarence gives Killian the hat he gave to Bisila. Upon seeing the hat Killian remembers Bisila. Clarence begins to sing a song that Killian heard Bisila sing when they first met. Back in Bioko the elderly Bisila receives a letter from Spain in regards to Killians death. Bisila travels to beach were she walks into the ocean tide. Iniko and Laha arrive in Pasolobino to visit Clarence who introduces them to Daniela.

Cast

• Mario Casas as Kilian
• Adriana Ugarte as Clarence
• Macarena García as Julia
• Alain Hernández as Jacobo
• Laia Costa as Daniela
• Emilio Gutiérrez Caba as Antón
• Berta Vázquez as Bisila
• Daniel Grao as Manuel
• Fernando Cayo as Garuz
• Celso Bugallo as older Kilian
• Petra Martínez as older Julia

Production

The film was shot in the Canary Islands, Huesca and Colombia.^[3]

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Palmeras en la nieve on IMDb
• Palm Trees in the Snow at Rotten Tomatoes