Lava 2023
In Carmen Jiménez's intimate 2023 drama Lava, the summer sun casts long shadows over a quiet country house where childhood innocence collides with unexpected complexity.
Director: Carmen Jiménez
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lava (2023) about?
Lava follows seven-year-old Berta as she spends a summer at her grandmother's countryside home with her mother and baby sister, seeking solace after her parents' divorce. When her teenage cousin Jorge offers to teach her to ride a bike, their bond takes a disturbing turn, revealing the thin line between care and manipulation in a child's world.
Who directed Lava?
Lava is directed by Carmen Jiménez, who crafts a tense, atmospheric short film that blends childhood innocence with unsettling undercurrents.
Who stars in Lava?
The film features Alicia Hidalgo as Berta, Silvia Acosta, Adelfa Calvo, Julio Bohigas-Couto as Jorge, and Fran Cantos.
Is Lava (2023) worth watching?
As a tightly woven drama with a short runtime, Lava delivers a haunting exploration of trust and vulnerability. While it lacks a rating, its thematic depth and strong performances make it a compelling watch for fans of psychological realism in film.
How long is Lava?
Lava runs for 18 minutes.
About Lava (2023) — A Summer's Innocence Shattered by Hidden Intentions
In Carmen Jiménez's intimate 2023 drama Lava, the summer sun casts long shadows over a quiet country house where childhood innocence collides with unexpected complexity. When seven-year-old Berta arrives with her baby sister and mother after her parents' separation, the tranquil rhythms of rural life promise respite—until her teenage cousin Jorge steps in with a bike and a hidden agenda. What begins as a joyful lesson in balance and trust quickly spirals into a quietly unsettling exploration of power, perception, and the fragility of safety in a child's world.
Lava simmers with tension beneath its sunlit surface, blending the warmth of family nostalgia with an undercurrent of dread. The film's compact runtime amplifies its impact, using silence and small gestures to tell a story that lingers long after the credits roll. With Alicia Hidalgo bringing Berta's wide-eyed wonder to life and Julio Bohigas-Couto capturing Jorge's unsettling charm, this is a coming-of-age story that refuses to sugarcoat its themes of vulnerability and betrayal.