If Only a Lament

Luna is an amateur producer who, after a concert, crosses paths with the enigmatic performer Chico Ocaña. She's immediately drawn to his charisma and to the music itself, and the two quickly find a creative chemistry that convinces them to work together. They set out to make an ambitious documentary about flamenco, planning to capture performances, interviews, and the social context that shapes the art. The film follows their collaboration as ideas, practical challenges, and personal tensions shape the project, showing the push and pull between artistic vision and the realities of filmmaking. The story focuses on process and personality, keeping any major plot surprises to itself.

Released in 2005, the film was directed by Fernando de France and features Desús Díaz Benjumea, Jesús Díaz Benjumea, Paul Berrondo as Manu, and Àlex Brendemühl as Xavi. It appears to be an original screenplay rather than a direct adaptation.

There is no widely reported box office information for this title, suggesting a limited theatrical run. The film seems to have circulated mainly in festival circuits and specialty screenings rather than mainstream multiplexes.

Within audiences who follow flamenco and independent Spanish cinema, the film is referenced for its intimate camera work and attention to musical detail. It has been used in discussions about how documentaries capture performance, and some musicians and students cite it when talking about modern representations of traditional art forms.

Critical coverage is sparse, and mainstream review aggregates offer little data, so consensus is hard to state. The film centers on themes of artistic collaboration, the tension between tradition and contemporary interpretation, and the compromises required to make work public. It raises questions about authenticity, authorship, and how personality shapes a creative project, without resorting to easy answers.