Wake up
Directed by Manuel Gallegos;
Spain · 2026 · 20 min · Alcohol; City; Inequalities; Disability; Disease; Death;
Submitted to RTV International Film Festival 2026Synopsis
Antonio, a 47-year-old man, lives trapped in his wheelchair, caught in a cycle of despair, guilt, and alcoholism after the tragic death of his wife and daughter.
About the film
Antonio, a 47-year-old man, lives trapped in his wheelchair, caught in a cycle of despair, guilt, and alcoholism after the tragic death of his wife and daughter. His life has become a solitary routine, barely interrupted by Carmen, his devoted caregiver, who tries unsuccessfully to pull him out of his self-destructive isolation. Everything changes when Antonio begins to observe Mario, a mysterious homeless man whose presence is unsettling and enigmatic, from his apartment window. When he decides to approach him, a series of encounters unfolds that lead him to question his own reality and confront his deepest fears. Mario seems to know Antonio's secrets and fears, challenging him to reconsider his life, his pain, and his choices. In an environment that oscillates between reality and dreams, where reflections and shadows take on symbolic significance, Antonio must confront himself and seek a path to redemption before it's too late. Awaken is a poetic and psychological exploration of guilt, acceptance, and the inevitable encounter with death.
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RTV International Film Festival — Inaugural Online Edition · 2026