Second Origin (2015) Poster

(2015)

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5/10
A sensitive survival story with two survivors in a world where the whole of humanity has vanished.
ma-cortes23 January 2024
The main protagonists are Alba (age 20) and Dídac (age 10), they are the only survivors of a catastrophe that has devastated the planet. Alba (Rachel Hurd-Wood) is a young teenager, who loses everything overnight, and feels lost and alone in a world now unknown to her. Every day she records her conversations with the camera on her cell phone, to forget that feeling of loneliness and avoid going crazy. And three other supporting actors who will barely appear on screen (one of them plays the young "Dídac", who will grow up and will be played by the main actor: Ibrahim Mané) . Their survival will mark a new beginning for humanity. In order to survive on this planet in ruins, while contemplating the desolate landscape that the characters find, they must start to work and explore places. Together they will have to rebuild not only their own lives but also those of the whole of humanity. Including making the decision to procreate in the future, to preserve human life. Things could go wrong when they discover that they are not the only humans alive on earth. Then they find a seemingly good or lonely man (Sergi López). Because when everything seems lost, love is the only survival handbook. The future depends on their love !.

Adaptation to cinema of the science fiction book: 'Mecanoscrit del Segon Origen', written by Manuel de Pedrolo in 1974 and considered to be the second best-selling novel in Catalan literature, featuring two survivors who will determine the future of humanity: the 20-year-old Alba and the 10-year-old Dídac, who are living in a devastated world. It should be noted that the project suffered a hard blow: the death in April 2013 of the main promoter and who should have been the director of the film, Bigas Luna. In fact the movie is dedicated in memorian of Bigas Luna. That's why the until then screenwriter and producer Carles Porta assumed the responsibility of getting behind the camera to carry out the dream that he shared with his friend and colleague.

The result is an average film with a brief but acceptable cast, fair direction in terms of the camera, with enviable as well as colorful photography by albert Pascual, but some scenes don't make much sense. 'Segon origen' or 'Segundo origen' or 'Second Origin' (2015) follows the destruction of the human race and focuses mainly on the relationship between Alba and Didac, projecting the ideas of rebirth and hope. Practically the only interpreters are Rachel Hurd-Wood (Peter Pan, Salomon Kane, Perfume: story of a murderer) and the debutant Ibrahim Mañé , playing the two survivors and giving mediocre performances with not enough chemistry between them. And brief appearances from Sergí López, Philip Hurd-Wood (Rachel Hurd-Wood's father), Albert Prat and Marieta Orozco.

This is another science-fiction film with an apocalyptic future, within a prolific subgenre of science fiction that includes films like " The Last Man on Earth¨, ¨Omega man¨, ¨I am Legend", The Road" , or even "Extiction".

To get into the situation a little more sensible , British composer David Julyan (¨The Cabin in the Woods¨,¨Eden Lake¨, "Memento", "The Prestige", "The Crucifixion") brings us an emotive soundtrack that improves both the action scenes and those in which we dedicate ourselves to enjoying the hard work. Director/writer Carles Porta is the one who brings the story to life, along with other many writers as Carmen Chaves, David Victori, Marcel Barrena, J. A. Duran , including good settings and impressive photography. However, Carles Porta's direction is mediocre with uneven happenings, without being able to appreciate the necessary sensibility and no showing adequately we are in another place or at another time.
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2/10
apocalypse without any real horror.
elle-six28 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie started of pretty alright. Apocalypse and survival... and soon turn to dumb couple who learned nothing from human behavior.

Seriously... in an apocalypse, who in the right mind would trust a stranger and hang out on his boat?

Also giving a gun to someone who is not ready to use it, is almost like suicide.

I'd just give 1 extra star because the girl is so pretty.
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6/10
Is there anybody out there?
nogodnomasters29 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The film starts out giving forecasts of doom and gloom with solar storms. After 10 1/2 minutes of character introduction our couple appear to be the only two humans alive, as everything is burnt to a crisp. They happened to be underwater at the time. As Dídac (Ibrahim Mané) becomes an adult, he impresses the 10 year senior Alba (Rachel Hurd-Wood) by getting the tractor working as they ride 128 km to Barcelona. Here the story changes, but really doesn't pick up.

The movie had bland characters and seemed to have lacked a theme. While it was not unpleasing or difficult to watch, it wasn't overly entertaining either. Listed as a "horror" film, I failed to see the horror in the movie. More like a sci-fi drama. Based on a novel by Manuel de Pedrolo "Mecanoscrit del Segon Origen", the most famous science-fiction novel in Catalan literature.

Guide: Brief sex and nudity. Large English subtitles.

Note to sci-fi writers and fans: Gasoline and diesel fuel have short shelf lives (gas about a month, diesel 3-6 months) unless fuel stabilizers are added to them. Just saying.
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