Alicante’s Absolute Love is poised to mark its big-screen debut in 2024, with a premiere window scheduled between February and March. The project is produced by Eigakan Movies and features a fiction narrative that blends live action with animation. Directed by Italian filmmaker Carlo Avventi, who resides in Alicante, this third feature work marks a notable step in his storytelling career.
The cast includes Arly Jones, an illustrator and animator from Alicante who also performs in animated segments of the film. Jones plays the lead through a character arc that follows a cruise ship singer who rose to fame in the 1980s on the strength of a single hit. Two decades later, as the character struggles to reclaim his former spark, he retreatingly settles on a quiet life by the shore. The story unfolds as Arly navigates this retreat, surrounded by friends such as Gina, a former vocal partner from the cruises, and Mar, a capable waiter whose child faces schooling challenges. The film delves into the emotional wounds left by abandoning a lifelong passion for music, even as it hints at a brighter future through personal reinvention.
Here is how the promo clip came to life: a short animated sequence that has earned festival recognition, including honors at Prague International Audio Music Video Awards, Tokyo Film Awards, and Euro Video Awards. Filming kicked off last July, largely around the El Campello municipality, with local government support through the City’s Film Office and partnerships with local businesses and the Yacht Club, as well as involvement from Alicante and Santa Pola, all contributing to this cinematic transformation.
The movie opens with the performance of the title song Absolute Love, a piece composed by Avventi that captures the film’s core intent: to explore the pursuit of absolute love. The story probes universal themes such as the passage of time, the rekindling of lost passion, and the opportunity to reinvent oneself through its central characters.
Versatile creative Arly Jones embodies the protagonist, bringing both the animation and acting aspects of the role to life. Jones has previously contributed to the project in the animated portions and has appeared in other short films, even making a cameo in a related project by Holy Spirit’s Chema García Ibarra. The Alicante film community lends further depth to the production as local actors join the cast in meaningful roles.
Alicante actors Sara Deray and Lidia Minguez appear in supporting parts. Deray, known for television work, portrays Gina, while Minguez plays Mar, the boat salesman whose struggles with alcohol reflect the emotional undercurrents of the story. Jêrome is portrayed by a professor character from the Master of Applied Dramatic Art program at the University of Alicante, John Sanderson. Another notable screen presence is Ivan Gisbert, a familiar face from television, interpreted here as a taxi driver who becomes a pivotal figure in the film. Maxi Celdrán completes the principal lineup as Marito, adding a distinctive texture to the ensemble.
The production team brings together Alfredo Navarro from Novelda, who recently released the documentary Novelda-Japan, and Maxi Veloso, a screenwriter and director from Alicante. Their collaboration helps shape Absolute Love into a resonant story about human resilience and artistic renewal. After its premiere, the film is expected to embark on an international circuit with the support of a Mexican-Argentine distributor, expanding its reach beyond European audiences.
In summary, Absolute Love presents a heartfelt exploration of fame, memory, and renaissance through a hybrid cinematic approach that blends live action with animation. The project stands as a testament to the creative vitality of the Alicante region and its ability to nurture worldwide storytelling talent. As audiences anticipate the upcoming premiere, the film’s creators emphasize the universal message: love, in its most absolute form, has the power to redefine a life—even when the road back to it seems uncertain.