Spanish independent filmmaker Marçal Forés, famous for “Animals”, directed the original Spanish romantic comedy “Through My Window” (“A través de mi ventana”) with fervent zeal. It follows Raquel and Ares as they inhabit two different worlds, which come to collide and intersect thanks to Raquel’s Wi-Fi. When Ares steals Raquel’s Wi-Fi password, Raquel’s lifelong dream of getting to know the bad boy next door comes true. Raquel steps out of her comfort zone to seduce Ares, and the latter returns the favor with passion.
However, the problem arises when Ares does not commit to the relationship – in his life there is no room for emotions. Despite the excellent production value, the director maintains his independent touch, while the use of light and color facilitate the ebb and flow of the story. The film is set in and around the city of Barcelona, and the hilltop pleasure dome of Ares catches the eye of viewers. Now you might be wondering where the filming took place and is it based on a true story? Let us understand!
Through My Window Filming Locations
“Through My Window” was filmed in and around Spain, particularly in Barcelona. Filming began on March 14, 2021 and ended in May of the same year. For international productions, the Spanish government offers a tax reduction of up to 30% of production expenses. In places like the Canary Islands, the grass is greener and you can get an additional tax credit of up to 50%. Elías M. Félix of “Sky Rojo” fame served as the cinematographer, while Jose Tirado handled production design remarkably well. Let’s now visit the exact locations where the film was shot!
Barcelona, Spain
The entire film was shot in and around Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. At the same time, the port city is the second most populous municipality in Spain, home to 1.6 million people. If you love leisure, you can sunbathe on Barcelona’s beaches, which are among the best in the world.
On the other hand, the city contains intrigue for history and adventure buffs, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered across the city. If you are a classical music connoisseur, the Palau de la Música Catalana is one of the World Heritage sites you must visit.
Is Through My Window based on a true story?
No, “Through My Window” is not based on a true story. While Wi-Fi theft is an issue we can relate to, it doesn’t always lead to the cerebral, passionate bond the film evokes between its central pair. The film is an adaptation of Ariana Godoy’s hugely popular eponymous mature romance novel. The author first published the book in Spanish on popular self-publishing site Wattpad, which has amassed 3.5 million reads on the site to date. The hot and heart-pounding novel also earned the author a Watty Award in 2016, the highest form of recognition on the website.
While recreating the story for the screen, Godoy worked closely with writer Eduard Sola and the director. For the uninitiated, Marçal Forés is not a new name in cinema. His 2012 fantasy film “Animals” caught the eye of critics, ending up in the official selection of the Galas Fantàstic of the 2012 Sitges Film Festival. Two years later, the director came up with an experimental teacher-student romantic drama ” Everlasting Love”. With a Netflix production in hand, the filmmaker decided to broaden the horizon a bit. He assured that although seemingly grander, “Through My Window” is no different from his other works.
Like other films by Marçal Forés, this film also tells of teenage romance, sexual awakening and the anxiety of unrequited love. The director favors the female perspective and reinvents the genre of erotic fantasy by stripping it of its masculine connotations. He wanted to showcase his heritage unlike Hollywood films like “Grease”, where the girl adapts to the idea of the boy. Bypassing all the clichés, the story of ‘Through My Window’ feels fresh, despite being based on a fictional domain.
Read more: Best Spanish Movies on Netflix
