TIFF '18 Film Review - Quien Te Cantara

A super fan of a popular singer best case scenario is to meet their hero and be acknowledged by them. Perhaps getting a backstage pass attached to their ticket to a show or some type of perk from being actively invalid in their fan club. Quien Te Cantara flips the fan superstar relationship on its head. The famous singer has to reach out to her biggest fan for help. Lila (Najwa Nimri) heads out to the beach in front of her home when she faints falling into the water losing consciousness. Her personal assistant Blanca (Carme Elias) finds her starting CPR immediately. Lila comes to in the hospital diagnosed with amnesia which is a major issue as she was planning her comeback tour before the incident.

Recovering at home Lila faculties begin to come back but she can't remember all of the aspects of being  Lila Cassen famous singer. The solution is Violeta (Eva Lloarch) a bartender in a Karaoke bar who when onstage transforms her self into a perfect clone of Lila Cassen. Blanca goes to her to request her help but no one can know not even her daughter Marta (Natalia Molina). This is an issue for Violeta as her daughter is very needed and demanding. Often threading to kill herself if she does not get her way. She also recently threatened her mother of severe consequences if she were to lie to her again.

Director Carlos Vermut tells a story with a bevy of strong willed female voices. At the top of the list is Violetta trying hard to make ends meet with an overwhelming daughter at home and not to great prospects outside. Her love of Lila Cassen's music is a light that keeps her going with one of her prized possession being an album that the singer signed for her at a meet and greet. Violetta wrights songs and has a great voice but never got that break to perform. Blanca is as loyal an assistant can be. Lila had stopped singing for 10 years but she stayed with her as the money became thin leading for the need for this new tour to maintain the singer's lifestyle. She did not complain or push her boss but instead supported her until she was ready to sing again.

Voileta throws herself into the role almost wanting Lila's success more than the singer herself. Lloarch is clearly the emotional centre of the film as sings, moves, and dances in front of a wall full of gold records that seem more like she earned more than the detached singer sitting in from of her watching her perform. The one willing to do anything to see this project work.

Quien Te Cantara translates to Who Will Sing to You in English is an original take on the ultra fans relationship with their idol. At one point during practice, Lila asks Violeta if she had thought of this moment alone with her in her house before and if how she imagined it going. The answer pales in comparison to what actually occurs on screen in a film that I can highly recommend.

**** Out of 4.

Quien Te Cantara | Carlos Vermut | Spain/ France | 2018 | 124 Minutes.

Tags: Beach House, The Sea, CPR Amnesia, You Tube, Pop Singer, Super Fan, Karaoke, Gold Records, iPhone, Heroine, Keys, Masochist, Comeback.